p.1 FOX SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 2015-2016 Career Pathways Guide Arts and Human Communication Services Business Industrial Management Technology Natural Resources p.2 Fox Senior High School T ABLE OF C ONTENTS A+ Requirements 2 Overview/Purpose 3 Career Pathways 4 Choosing a Pathway 5 Career Activities, Tests, and Assessments 6-7 Program Planning Steps 8 Graduation Requirements 9 Career Choices 10 Career Myths and Realities 11 Twenty-First Century Employment 12 NCAA-Approved Courses 13 Four-Year Plan 14 A+ Missouri Accredited Public Community College 15-16 Arts and Communications 17-19 Business, Management, and Technology 20-22 Health Services 23-25 Human Services 26-28 Industrial Technology and Engineering 29-31 Natural Resources 32-34 Honors and AP Courses 35 AP Exam Requirements 36 p.3 Fox Senior High School F OX H IGH S CHOOL A + R EQUIREMENTS Fox High School is a participant in a grant award program that is committed to improving the education of high school students within the state of Missouri. Beginning in 1994, the A+ Schools Program provided grant awards to Missouri’s public school districts that demonstrate a commitment to ensure that the program’s goals are met in their high schools. The goals of an A+ School are to ensure that: 1. All students graduate from high school. 2. All students complete a selection of high school studies that is challenging and has identified learning expectations. 3. All students proceed from high school graduation to a college, post-secondary vocational-technical school, or a high wage job with workplace skill development opportunities. High schools that apply for the competitive grant award must outline a plan that includes innovative activities to make progress toward achieving these three goals. Fox High School was awarded an A+ Schools grant in 2001-2002. Fox High School became a desig- nated school in the Spring of 2004. The students who graduate from Fox High School in 2004 and each succeeding year may be eligible to participate in the A+ School Financial Incentive Program, provided that Fox continues to receive A+ designated status. The funding for the financial incentives is dependent upon Fox High School maintaining its A+ Schools status and the availability of state appropriations from the Missouri General Assembly. The student financial incentive of the A+ Schools Program provide for applicants who meet the A+ requirements to be eligible for the cost of tuition and general fees while attending any Missouri public community college or post secondary vocational or technical school as a full-time student. These costs may be reimbursable only after secured federal financial assistance funds that do not require repayment have been applied. The incentive will be available for up to two years of attendance during the 4-year period following high school graduation. To be eligible for the financial incentives of the A+ Schools Program, a student must meet the following criteria: Sign an A+ Student Participation Agreement Attend an A+ school for three consecutive years prior to graduation Maintain at least a 2.5 accumulative grade point average Maintain at least a 95% accumulative attendance record Perform 50 hours of unpaid tutoring during high school Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs Make a good faith effort to first secure all available federal post-secondary student financial assistance p.4 Fox Senior High School C AREER P ATHWAYS H ANDBOOK Career paths are clusters of occupations/careers The Career Pathway Booklet, sponsored by the grouped according to participants’ interests and talents or A+ School Grant at Fox Senior High School, is in- skills. All paths include a variety of occupations that require tended to provide assistance to students, parents, ad- different levels of education and training. Thus, career paths visors, and counselors in developing a four-year plan provide a plan for all students, whatever their interests, abili- for selection of high school courses relevant to post- ties, talents, or desired levels of education. Selecting a career secondary education and career preparation. The in- path provides a student with an area of FOCUS, along with formation provided in this booklet will help students FLEXIBILITY and a VARIETY of ideas to pursue. consider their interests, abilities, and talents in choosing one of six broad career pathways. Howev- The focus of career paths is on helping students choose er, the expectation is not for students to select a spe- a career path, not a specific occupation. Selecting a career cific occupation for the rest of their lives. Rather, it path is not a lifelong commitment; it is a place to begin focus- is to focus on a broad career path to help students es- ing one’s energies. As students take different courses and tablish long-term goals that provide a suggested pro- learn more about themselves and careers, they will probably gram of study for entry into technical and profession- change career paths. Students who understand the career al occupations. It is our intent at Fox High School to paths concept will be aware that there are a variety of other provide better assistance to both parents and students related possibilities if the first path no longer fits them. If as they develop a sequence of courses that will lead different career paths become more interesting, the students can to academic and life success. reevaluate plans, make appropriate decisions, and revise their high school plans as necessary. p.5 Fox Senior High School p.6 Fox Senior High School C HOOSING A C AREER P ATHWAY Fox C-6 School District students complete several career exploration assessments their 8th grade year. This is a way the student can identify an initial career pathway choice. Coun- selors will then use this information to assist students in making course selections for their ninth grade year and establishing a high school four-year plan. All eighth graders also participate in ACT’s Explore test. The Explore is ACT’s eighth grade program that assesses students’ academic progress and helps students begin to explore and plan for the wide range of educational and career options open to them. As Fox students begin high school and gain new experiences, it is important to remember that planning is an ongoing developmental process with different activities at each grade lev- el. Classroom career lessons, workshops/assemblies, career fairs, college days, standardized testing programs, inventories, college and military representative visits, individual career counseling, school bulletins, library reference materials, and assemblies are provided for Fox students. As students have new experiences and participate in these activities, they will learn new things about themselves and may change career pathways. Any modifications or changes in the plan need to meet the approval of students, parents, and counseling staff. A career path- way is not a permanent commitment. There are suggested activities by grade level for students and parents to complete. These activities will help the student prepare for graduation and look ahead both educational- ly and occupationally. These are in addition to other activities being conducted by the staff at school. p.7 Fox Senior High School C AREER ACTIVITIES , TESTS , AND ASSESSMENTS Grade 8: 1. Career Pathways inventory 2. ACT Explore test 3. 8th grade orientation to go over high school credits and graduation credits 4. Terra Nova 5. Reading Counts program 6. Develop Four-Year Educational and Career Plan Grade 9: 1. Review four-year plans and graduation requirements 2. Focus on workplace skills such as time management, healthy interpersonal relationships, acquiring and evaluating information, basic academic skills, critical thinking, and responsibility within every team 3. Register for PLAN Grade 10: 1. PSAT 2. Complete career research activities in all Language Arts II courses 3. Review graduation requirements and schedule for eleventh grade 4. Take ASVAB (if applicable) 5. Explore possibility of vocational/technical school programs p.8 Fox Senior High School C AREER A CTIVITIES, T ESTS , AND A SSESSMENTS Grade 11: 1. Take the ACT (State Requirement For Juniors) 2. Review graduation requirements and schedule for senior year 3. Solidify post-secondary plans and begin collecting information about various programs 4. Make college visits 5. Choose electives that are consistent with post-secondary plans 6. ASVAB Grade 12: 1. Review post-secondary plans with counselor and parents 2. Attend senior informational meetings 3. Attend financial aid workshops during parent-teacher conferences 4. Consider ACT test if needed 5. Complete FAFSA form (financial aid) 6. Attend College Fair 7. Meet deadlines for applications for post-secondary plans 8. Contact individuals early for recommendations and references 9. ASVAB p.9 Fox Senior High School P ROGRAM P LANNING S TEPS In planning a program, students should consider subjects to be taken and their own out-of-school load, including activities, employment, and home responsibilities. Ample time and favorable conditions for study should be recognized as essential to satisfactory progress in school. Each student should undertake the following steps in program planning. 1. DECIDE WHAT CAREER PATHWAY FITS YOUR INTEREST AND ABILITIES. As of 2002, all freshmen will have completed a career pathways inventory that places their interests, activities, aptitudes, and personality type beneath one of the six categories. 2. DECIDE WHERE YOU WANT TO GO . Think about what you want to gain from your high school years. Honestly pursue the available information about career fields and use it to set some post-secondary goals early in your high school ca- reer. Determine what additional training beyond high school is required for your chosen field. 3. REVIEW THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS. As you plan your program of studies make certain you select those sub- jects that will permit you to graduate.