More than 700 educators and industry employers gathered in Baton Rouge today for the state’s inaugural Jump Start Convention, at which attendees discussed how they can better prepare Louisiana students for higher education and careers through the state’s new initiative.
Beginning this year, the Jump Start initiative is offering Louisiana high school students as many as 33 so-called pathways to a diploma and industry credentials in a wide variety of job sectors from construction and agriculture to web design and film. The Department of Education says thousands of students are already pursuing a diploma through one of the pathways, and that Jump Start regional teams are working on the development of 20 more.
“Jump Start expands students’ pathways, offering them a boost into college or the workplace,” says Education Superintendent John White in a prepared release. “Now the focus must be on building the plan to offer Jump Start to students and make their families aware of the opportunity.”
At today’s convention, attendees participated in a breakout session to get more specifics on preparing schools and students for Jump Start. The session included information on topics such as the development and funding of career counseling, as well as the implementation of new career readiness courses. The Department of Education says regional teams are currently working on development of such courses, which could be offered to students as early as middle school.
Ascension Parish Schools Superintendent Patrice Pujol was among those who gathered in Baton Rouge today for the convention, which also drew nearly 350 school principals and counselors.
“The Jump Start initiative provides pathways for high school students to take career courses, earn workplace experiences and to become credentialed in high-demand, high-wage jobs,” Pujol says in a prepared statement. “We feel this initiative is especially important for Ascension Parish students as we live and work in an area rich with business and industry career opportunities, many of which reside on or near the Mississippi River. Several of these businesses and those who provide services to them are planning to expand or have expanded, adding extra capacity and opening up numerous job opportunities.”
The Jump Start program is being unveiled in phases, with full implementation to begin in the 2017-18 school year. The Department of Education has more details on today’s convention and the Jump Start program.
