September 29, 2014 – In May of 2013, the 83rd Texas Legislature put into place a new law, known as House Bill 5, which changed graduation requirements for all students in the state. In response to these changes, Amarillo ISD has launched a campaign called “Map Your Plan” to guide students toward career paths which interest them. Not only will Map Your Plan help students select an endorsement area of study, it also provides students and their families with information about career and college options.
“I am enthused about the new graduation plans put in place by the state. Our students have more flexibility now to explore career interests in high school, and this is a good thing,” Superintendent Rod Schroder said. “It is important for students to have a plan to help them navigate through school to graduation and beyond, and the Map Your Plan activities and resources will help give students, parents and teachers some tools to help chart a path for success.”
Through classroom posters, lessons and discussion guides, announcements, website messages and parent information, Map Your Plan will help schools and parents guide students as they begin to think about what job or career they hope to have and what post-secondary options are out there to help them reach those goals. Though classroom discussions will start in 4th and 5th-grades and extend through high school, a particular focus will be on 8th-graders this year as they will need to choose an endorsement prior to entering high school next year.
Just as it is vital to teach students about their post-secondary options in the classroom, it is also important they have these discussions with their family and friends. LeAnn Estep, director of Career and Technical Education, works with schools and faculty to ensure students have many options for real-world training while in high school. She also knows the importance of having conversations in the home about career and college options.
“Parents have such influence on their children, so having discussions about college and career is crucial,” Estep explained. “Discussions can begin with questions about what they are good at and what interests them, but should evolve to include educational requirements, salaries and job availability for career fields they have a curiosity for. The more accurate information students have, the better decisions they will make concerning their futures.”
Tracey Morman, director of Guidance and Counseling, suggests families who wish to learn more about college and career options go online or communicate with administrators on their child’s campus. “Our counselors, career centers and ACE offices are great resources for students and their families who want to discuss post-secondary school options,” Morman said. “Students can also go online and utilize Amarillo College’s ‘Start Here Careers’ or their AISD Bridges account to delve more into their career aptitudes and interests.”
For more information about Map Your Plan and graduation requirements, please visit the Graduation Plans page on the district website at http://www.amaisd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=18930063&pageId=19822199
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