Schools

SLHS To Add IB Career Certificate

Program will enhance offerings, prestige for career skills students.

is adding an International Baccalaureate Career Certificate to its offerings.

The school will roll out the pilot program for the Class of 2014, says Susan Brownsword, a SLHS business and information technology teacher and the coordinator of the new program.

For more than a decade, the school has offered IB certificates and diplomas, which includes a combination of advanced academic classes, community service, exams and an extended essay.

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The IB career certificate will give students recognition for career-related skills, said Brownsword.

"The IB organization saw a need for something between the diploma and everything else," she said. "Ours will be focused on 21st Century skills."

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Brownsword says the program has space for about 30 students, and students will combine the career-education (such as marketing or culinary arts, among others) classes with IB diploma courses. 

Addtionally, students in the program will take an Approaches to Learning class (similar to the Theory of Knowledge class IB Diploma candidates take).

They will complete a Reflective Project, which will be similar to the extended essay for diploma candidates, on an ethical issue on the student's career field. This can take several forms - either a 3,000-word essay, or a website project combined with a 1,000-word PowerPoint or a video project, Brownsword said.

Career certificate candidates will also perform service projects.

Students in career skills programs usually belong to and work on projects with professional groups such as DECA, the international marketing students group, or FBLA, a business students group. They will use that involvement to do one additionaly project each during junior and senior year.

"The career certificate program is expected to provide some extra cachet," said Brownsword. "We are hoping to be able to put a stamp on their diplomas."


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