What is Academic & Career Planning (ACP)? 

Academic and Career Planning, or ACP, is a student-driven, adult-supported process in which students create and cultivate their own unique and information-based visions for post-secondary success, obtained through self-exploration, career exploration, and the development of career management and planning skills. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in the PI26 legislation requires public school districts to provide academic and career planning services to students in grades 6 through 12 beginning in the 2017-18 school year. These new academic and career planning requirements connect school districts’ education for employment plans and programs to the new academic and career planning requirements.  

Mission 

The mission of the Peshtigo School District is to maximize achievement through a rich variety of educational experiences in a safe and caring environment. Our intent is to educate all levels of learners through diverse educational programs that foster growth of students in becoming creative thinkers and instill in each child the desire for life-long learning. 

Labor Market Statistics 

Employment across all industries, in Marinette County, is expected to grow by eight percent over the ten?year period, or almost 25,000 workers. Labor market data suggests that the most significant numerical growth is expected in the Construction, Education and Health Services, and Professional and Business Services industry sectors. Manufacturing employment is also expected to grow at three percent, which exceeds the anticipated statewide sector growth of two percent. 

Preparing our Students 

Starting in 7th grade students set academic goals and select an intentional sequence of courses based on their individual strengths, needs, and goals. Students are offered a variety of extra and co-curricular activities. Career and readiness assessments such as Forward, Renaissance Star Assessments, ASVAB, ASPIRE/ACT/SAT, and WorkKeys are offered. Career exploration activities are available for their field of interest by attending job fairs, job shadowing, work-based learning, work experience, service learning projects, and youth apprenticeships. 

Students with Disabilities 

It is important that students with disabilities participate in the ACP process the same ways that other students do so that they have the same opportunities to explore career interests and access the same school staff expertise outside of the IEP team. Students will be prepared to share their goals for the future with their IEP teams as a result of participating in ACP. ACP gives students with disabilities an even earlier start on exploring options for future employment and the steps needed to accomplish their goals. 

Course Offerings 

Peshtigo School District provides high school students the following opportunities for additional course offerings:

• Advanced Placement - offers college-level curricula and examinations, concurrent en American colleges and universities may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations. 
• Concurrent Enrollment - provides students the opportunity to take college-credit bearing courses taught by college-approved high school teachers. 
• Advanced Standing Courses - courses that are taught by high school teachers using high school curriculum determined to be a close match to a Northeast Wisconsin Technical College course. Advanced standing courses may earn a student the opportunity to skip an introductory level course in their program and advance to the next level. 
• Transcribed Credit Courses - courses are taught by high school teachers with Wisconsin Technical College System certification. NWTC curriculum and assessment methods are used. 
• Youth Options - allows qualified high school juniors and seniors to take post-secondary (college level) classes. 
• Course Options - allows students enrolled in a public school district to take up to two courses at any time for an educational institution. 
   

Involving Families 

Parents have the availability, and are strongly encouraged, to be actively involved in their child's success. Academic grades and test results are available in Skyward, progress reports are sent out weekly, parent/teacher conferences are scheduled once per semester, and counselors are available to discuss ACP progress in person or via phone or email. Peshtigo Middle/High School also hosts open houses for students and families during the school year. Junior and senior parents are invited to attend an informational meeting on financial aid for their child's post-secondary education. 

Resources used to create this document include DPI publications, Department of Workforce and Development data, and Peshtigo School District publications.