Career & College Success
This program equips students with high-demand skills and leads to opportunities for continued education and careers.
OUR STUDENTS ARE FUELING OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE AND MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR CITY.
For the most up to date information on what DPS is doing in Work Based Learning with Career & College Success visit: https://collegeandcareer.dpsk12.org/work-based-learning-with-careerconnect/
We’re strengthening the pipeline to success through Career and College Success (CCS), formerly known as CareerConnect
Denver Public Schools has set out on an ambitious path to dramatically improve how we’re preparing students for college and career. By implementing a pipeline of Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, DPS is preparing our future leaders for the very jobs that are in highest demand in Denver – ensuring that we are strengthening our city and our students’ futures.
In April 2014, DPS was chosen as one of 24 organizations nationwide to receive a four-year grant to enhance career-focused pathways in STEM. That opportunity was the springboard that allowed us to develop comprehensive CTE pathways access across the district, along with a full suite of career development and work-based opportunities. In partnership with the City of Denver, the Office of Economic Development, two and four year colleges and universities, and corporate and industry partners, DPS launched Career and College Success in eight high schools.
Career and Technical Education is a program that offers students hundreds of career-related courses at many levels – from introductory all the way to classes that offer opportunities to earn college credit or industry credentials. Through courses that are fun, real-world and project-based, students learn professional skills and are empowered to generate solutions.
It is designed to give students early exposure to many career options as they learn more about their own passions and interests. Students are partnered with companies, higher education institutions and non-profits in Colorado’s most in-demand industries to gain work-based learning experiences such as site visit days, internships, mentoring, apprenticeships and more. In addition to continued implementation of work-based learning programming, the Career Development team supports students through Meaningful Career Conversations so that students can learn of their CCS options and navigate their decisions.
The Need
Our schools must do more to engage, prepare, and inspire college- and career-ready students, and our programs must be better aligned to employer and post-secondary needs.
What your support means.
Research shows that students engaged in a CTE program have up to a 30 percent greater likelihood of graduating high school than their counterparts.
What makes CTE so successful?
A clear sight line to the future
CTE students’ studies are tied at every step to the opportunities that will be available to them after graduation – whether it’s higher education and graduate work, or immediate employment and a successful career.
Real world applications
Pathways courses all involve work-based learning such as job shadowing, internships and site visits. These experiences continually expose students to applications for their learning and skills in industry and higher education.
Focused and engaged students
Students enrolled in CTE are far more likely to complete their studies and graduate from high school; and far more likely to become the future leaders we need to help Denver thrive.
We are proud to help Denver in leading the nation in this work, and creating a pipeline of talent specifically and strategically built to serve our city and our nation – now and in the future.
There are many ways to participate in Career and College Success in DPS. Corporate partnership options include financial support, in-kind support, and participation in job shadowing, mentorship, corporate volunteerism, career fairs and summer industry academies. Individual donations are also needed to purchase scientific equipment, supplies and computer equipment.
For more information about Career and College Success and how to get involved contact us at: info@dpsfoundation.org.