The Effect of the Involvement within Career Academies by Elective Participation of Eleventh and Twelfth Grade High School Students During the Implementation Year

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of elective participation in one of three implementation year Career Academies, Education, Entrepreneurship, or Finance, on upper-class high school academic grades, Grade Point Average, and school academy participation measures. Significance of the junior and senior year of high school, the meaning of a high school diploma and graduation requirements, and the connection to preparation for postsecondary studies and the world of work, career readiness, have become a focus of high school improvement efforts throughout the country. The implementation of the Millard Public Schools Career Academies in August of 2009 was an answer in providing an additional opportunity for students interested in pursuing college credit within a specialized field of study as called for by two of the district Strategic Plan strategies including the utilization of instructional best practices, formative and summative assessments, and student data designed to ensure high achievement for all students and all demographic subgroups and the development of innovative approaches to motivate and educate those students who learn in nontraditional ways