Career Readiness is a Key Focus for MPS High School Students
Career readiness is an essential part of every high school student’s academic journey; now it is a formalized effort with legislative backing adopted in school districts statewide. A law passed in 2019 established that all students must complete an Individual Career Academic Plan, or ICAP.
The plan is modified throughout high school to identify students’ abilities and help them work toward post-graduation goals.
According to the Moore Public School’s website, “The spirit of the Individual Career & Academic Planning process is not just a list of tasks, it is that of a school and district-wide culture designed to help students prepare for life beyond high school.”
Moore’s ICAP program consists of five main components, all of which are revisited yearly:
- College & career interest assessments
- Post-secondary-related goals
- A plan for coursework to reach those goals
- A record of grades, courses and assessments taken
- Service learning and work experience activities
Moore Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Jimmy Martin recognizes how ICAP has evolved and its positive impact.
“We have made gradual adjustments over the past five years and found ways to implement ICAP better using our student information system,” he said. “It’s a great idea overall and has been very beneficial for our students, whether they are considering college, a career tech center or the military. ICAP has helped students and families focus on making the most of achievement opportunities that prepare students for what’s next.”
While ICAP is not required until freshman year, Moore students begin in eighth grade, a move Martin said sets them up for success through early pathways to post-secondary options.
All students use OK Career Guide, a website supported by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, to take assessments and identify potential areas of interest. At the high school level, the site’s interest and skills inventories help determine which abilities align with career paths as students select their classes.
Pre-enrollment begins in January, as students speak with their career specialists, counselors and parents to decide on classes for the next academic year.
“What we’ve been able to do is move some key components so students can work through the process by sitting down with their parents. Together, they can set the student’s goals and choose their pathway as well as select foundational classes relevant to what they ultimately want to do after high school,” Martin explained.
Martin recommends using okcareerguide.kuder.com as a resource for students to explore career interests, with in-depth college and career tech center information available for review at home.
“We want parents to be involved in the conversation with their students each year,” said Martin. “Things are changing constantly regarding new careers because of new technology and changes in our world. What is really important when choosing a career is to start with what training is involved and does it require licensure.”
Martin sees the work-based learning experience component of ICAP as one of its standout features.
“We can explain to students that their career choice is something they could do in the real world, but nothing makes that more relevant than hands-on experience,” he explained. “Bringing in industry standards through clubs and internships is part of the process we know makes all the difference.”
The district’s plans expand internship and work-relevant opportunities in future academic years.
For more information about ICAP and other graduation requirements, visit mooreschools.com.– SMS
By Staff Writer
