Throughout
middle school, students participate in learning activities that identify their
interests, skills, and related occupations to better prepare them for high
school and post-secondary experiences. The Cobb County School District middle
and high schools use a web-based program called Career Cruising for career
exploration. Career Cruising (www.careercruising.com) provides numerous
activities that students may complete during classroom lessons, advisement,
small group meetings, or individual exploration. Below are the required
activities your students will complete in middle school using Career Cruising:
Sixth Grade
– Students will open an electronic portfolio in Career Cruising and complete a
Learning Styles Inventory.
Seventh
Grade – Students will complete Career Cruising Matchmaker which is an
interactive survey that “matches” interests to various careers. They will be
introduced to two career clusters that match their interests based on the
results of the assessment, and save a third career cluster of their choice to
their portfolio.
Eighth Grade
- Students will take Career Cruising My Skills, which will measure how their
skills line up with careers of interest. Students will also complete an
Individualized Graduation Plan based on the data from previous Career Cruising
activities. This plan will be used throughout high school to assist students
and parents with course selection. The results from Matchmaker and My Skills
can serve as the foundation of career and college exploration. Additionally,
students will be notified about the Georgia Dual Enrollment program.
Even though
your student’s interests will vary over time, the results of Matchmaker and My
Skills can serve as the foundation of career and college exploration.
Matchmaker may be taken numerous times, and the results can be saved for each
completion. As students
move through the eighth grade, they will make numerous decisions about high
school courses and career preparation. Prior to exiting eighth grade, your
student will complete an Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP). This plan,
required by the BRIDGE Act (House Bill 400), will be completed by your student
with your input and the assistance of the school counselor and/or advisor. The
plan will be based upon results of Career Cruising activities, academic
performance, teacher recommendations, and student/parent requests along with
other relevant information.
Even though
middle school students are not expected to make commitments to specific courses
at this point, they will benefit from exploring multiple options and making
plans that include taking rigorous courses. The IGP will follow the student
throughout high school and will tentatively map out the core subjects and
courses of high interest. The IGP can always be revised based on student needs
and changing interests.
Parents may
access your student’s electronic portfolio in Career Cruising by using the log
in and password information provided to the students (please see the label on
the inside of the student agenda) or by contacting one of the school counselors
to request a copy of the log in information.
