MADISON — Educators in school districts from across Wisconsin will work with students and their families during the coming school year to help them plan academic and career exploration activities that will prepare students for the future.
A total of 25 public school districts selected for the Academic and Career Planning (ACP) pilot during the 2015-16 school year—including Darlington Community School District—will use various resources to provide students and their families with the information they need to make informed choices for education, training, and careers.

The academic and career planning initiative honors all postsecondary routes, including military, apprenticeship, certification, technical college, and university education and recognizes that people often move in and out of different routes throughout their lives as needed.

“The academic and career planning process will help to support the great work already taking place in our public schools through our top-notch teachers,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers.

The academic and career planning initiative will provide web-based software that school districts may use as well as guidance, training, and technical assistance on how to implement academic and career planning services to students in grades six through 12.

There were 61 school districts that applied to participate in the ACP pilot program. The 25 selected districts represent rural, suburban, and urban areas of varying size, with at least one district located in each of the state’s 12 cooperative educational service agencies (CESAs).

Within the pilot school districts, 33 high schools, 31 middle schools, and five grade schools will actively participate.
The pilot districts and schools will be expected to implement ACP practices and processes and serve as models as all districts in the state begin providing academic and career planning services.

As part of the pilot process, schools will be able to collaborate with other educators to shape the ACP roll-out statewide, gain access to professional development resources and guidance from national experts, and get a first look at the software designed to help guide the ACP process.

State law requires every school board to provide ACP services to all students in grades six through 12 by the 2017-18 school year. ACPs are a part of the state superintendent’s Agenda 2017, which is focused on having all Wisconsin students graduate from high school college and career ready.