Academic and Career Planning: The School Mission Implementation Plan

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Part 2

Written by Grey Davis

Putting ACP into Practice

Post-secondary readiness has undergone significant changes over the past decade. The traditional model of providing a college preparatory education is no longer sufficient. This outdated approach limits the potential of young adults and does not align with the modern-day need to prepare students comprehensively for life beyond high school.

While preparing students for college remains important, there is a growing recognition that a holistic approach is necessary to equip students for various aspects of adult life. Schools across the United States are adapting to this trend by focusing on broader life skills and readiness (Redefining Ready, 2017).

In response to these evolving expectations, Lutheran schools are encouraged to revisit and realign their mission and vision to reflect the current needs for post-secondary readiness. This requires a clear and actionable implementation plan, regular reviews, and active participation from all stakeholders to support student success. The mission should be communicated effectively through Academic and Career Planning, which serves as the blueprint for executing the vision of each student’s future. By focusing on a comprehensive preparation strategy, schools can better equip students to navigate the complexities of adulthood, ensuring they are ready for both the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead (Wisconsin Department of Instruction, 2022).

Academic and Career Plan Components

The ACP process increases student motivation, engagement, school connection, and awareness of individual strengths and weaknesses (Wisconsin Department of Instruction, 2020). Educational leaders should consider that ACP builds on our understanding of how God created our students, incorporates relevant learning, and provides applications often found through experiential learning in and outside the school building with local partnerships.

What are the key components and examples of a successful ACP? The state of Wisconsin has provided a checklist for required items for a board-approved plan (Wisconsin Department of Instruction, 2022).

  • Labor Market Information
  • Post-Secondary Education and Workforce Preparation
  • Professional Development for Staff
  • Family Engagement
  • Community Partnerships
  • ACP Curriculum, Support, and Services
  • Individualized ACP Support
  • Access for All Students
  • Formal ACP Process Assisting Students and Parents
  • Access to ACP Software Tool
  • Current Progress and Future Goals for Implementation
  • A Team Approach: School- or District-Wide Involvement
  • School Board Responsibilities

The missing piece in Wisconsin’s approach to ACP is the role of the Christian Church and more specifically, the Lutheran school. ACP execution is the implementation plan that guides a school to complete their mission. This process helps students in our Lutheran schools for their future careers and reminds Christians that our time on this earth should first focus on our relationship with Jesus. It was reflected by the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” The vision of graduates in our Lutheran schools represents strategic planning from ACP with gospel truths to be used in future vocations.

Parent Engagement

The role of the school is only one piece of the puzzle. How do parents play a role in ACP? Schools are required to engage all stakeholders, including students and parents, in the ACP planning process. This ensures buy-in and ownership of the execution of the ministry plan and promotes the overall goal of preparing the next generation of citizens.

Schools should develop strategies to help parents understand the shift and effectively communicate their role in counseling their child. The key to ACP engagement is a systematic approach where the primary influence (the caregiver) is knowledgeable and takes ownership in helping their child plan and develop life goals. Students who are well informed and engage early on in post-high school planning with the help of their

families, have higher life aspirations and are in a better position to secure the academic, social, and economic resources needed to accomplish their goals (Texas Council of Family-School Engagement, 2019).

An Example at WLHS

This raises the question of what WELS schools are doing to follow legal requirements that support post-secondary readiness. The Wisconsin Lutheran High School ACP is currently in draft form with a release date for the final version set for August 2025.

WLHS hopes to use this plan to provide a clear vision of what post-secondary success looks like and how to implement individual ACPs for every student. The plan includes not only state recommendations but also a Christian perspective regarding Christ’s calling for Christians to be ambassadors in this world through our gifts, skills, and training. Components of the current plan include the Wisconsin Department of Instruction’s guidance for ACP and the American School Counselor Association’s national model.

WLHS will look to improve and enhance their ACP to better support students, parents, and staff. This process will include learning from schools and conferences across the state and nation. The goal is to better support students for post-secondary success, not only at WLHS but also through collaborative ACP growth across WELS schools. If you would like to share ACP information or collaborate with WLHS to better support WELS schools, please contact Grey Davis at WLHS.

Grey Davis, MS Ed (’16, ’19) He serves as the director of Student Services at Wisconsin Lutheran High School.

References

American Institutes for Research. (2019.). College and career readiness: What does it mean and how can we measure it? American Institutes for Research. https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/FE-College-Career-Readiness.pdf

Bible, N. I. V. (n.d.). 2 Corinthians 5:20. Publisher.

Redefining Ready. (n.d.). Redefining Ready. Retrieved August 1, 2024, from https://www.redefiningready.org/

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. (2020). Academic and career planning FAQs. Retrieved from https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/acp/pdf/2020_03_09_ACP_FAQs.pdf

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. (2022). Wisconsin guide to publishing your district ACP E4E plan (resource version). Retrieved from https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/acp/pdf/2022_08_Wis_Guide_to_Publishing_yo ur_Dist_ACP_E4E_Plan_resource_version.pdf

Wisconsin Lutheran High School. (2024). Student Services. Wisconsin Lutheran High School. https://www.wlhs.org/academics/student-services

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