In a global, knowledge-based economy, students must graduate ready for both college and careers. In the last 35 years, the jobs that require some education beyond high school grew to the majority of the workforce, and that trend toward training and college has accelerated in the 21st century.
The labor market has seen an unprecedented convergence between the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in first-year classes at a two- or four-year college and what it takes to succeed in a "good" job - one that supports a family above poverty and offers health care benefits and some career trajectory past entry level work. Every North Carolina high school graduate has a right to that level of opportunity.
At the same time, living in a contemporary society and participating in a democracy have grown in complexity. People in North Carolina and the rest of the nation are confronted by ever-growing sources of information and ever-increasing choices. Our citizens must be ready to sort through it all.
This plan is of significant interest to schools designated as cooperative and innovative. These schools, granted their designation by the NC State Board of Education and provided operational waivers by the NC Department of Public Instruction are an integral component of the Career & College Promise plan and one of the three distinct pathways student may use to access college credit in North Carolina. The North Carolina New Schools Project is proud to provide services to over 83% of the state's cooperative and innovative high schools.
What does Career & College Promise mean for schools designated as cooperative and innovative?
Career & College Promise has no effect on the operations of schools designated as cooperative and innovative by the State Board of Education. While the definition of cooperative and innovative has been limited to schools that have no more than 100 students per grade level and are located on the campus of a community college, these changes to the definition will not be effective until July 1, 2014.
All schools currently designated as cooperative and innovative can proceed as they currently are operating to provide college credit acquisition opportunities for their students.
The three pathways to help advance eligible students' post-high school success under Career & College Promise are:
- College Transfer -- Earn tuition-free course credits toward a four-year degree through North Carolina's community colleges. Students who complete a 44-hour credit program will be able to transfer all of their credit to all UNC institutions and many of NC's Independent Colleges and Universities.
- Technical Career -- Earn tuition-free course credits at an NC Community College toward an entry-level job credential, certificate or diploma in a technical career.
- Innovative High Schools (limited availability) -- Begin earning tuition-free college credits as a high-school freshman by attending a Cooperative Innovative High School.
