Louisiana Department of Education’s annual Jump Start Convention is occurring virtually this year today and tomorrow. Approximately 1,200 Louisiana educators and industry leaders will gather online to discuss the state’s premier career and technical education (CTE) program, share resources and strategize for the future.
The event’s theme is “Inspire. Innovate. Impact.” It is the first time the convention will be held virtually and will be streamed on the Department’s YouTube channel.
“Louisiana’s graduates must be ready for a career or college when their time in high school is done,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “The success of our Jump Start program and of events like this convention demonstrate our commitment to ensuring every student is on track to a professional career, college degree or service.”
Today’s opening session begins at 1 p.m. and features a “State of CTE in Louisiana” address by Dr. Brumley and a Jump Start Construction Connect Scholarship continuation announcement by Louisiana Community and Technical College System Chief Public Affairs Officer Quintin Taylor and TJC Group’s Nicholas Johnson.
Attendees will participate in over 25 unique sessions over two days. Regional economic leaders will discuss and share occupational forecasting for high wage, high demand careers in their economic region. A panel of STEM industry leaders will also discuss the future of Louisiana’s STEM workforce.
CTE 2020 highlights include:
- Fast Forward, a new initiative designed to increase the number of high school graduates who earn an associate’s degree or participate in a high-demand apprenticeship program during high school. Fast Forward will prepare students for current and emerging professions that expose them to high-skill, high-wage and in-demand occupations. Students have the option to participate in one of three pathways: Fast Forward Jump Start 2.0 Pathway, Fast Forward TOPS University Pathway and Fast Forward High-Demand Apprenticeship Pathway.
- Approved additions to Jump Start 2.0, which will expand career courses, pathways and industry-based certifications available to students prior to graduation.
- Inaugural STEM Pathway graduates. The first cohort of students to successfully complete rigorous coursework designed to prepare them to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) career fields graduated with the Class of 2020. The inaugural group, which included 23 students, earned a special endorsement on their diploma to mark the accomplishment.
Jump Start is Louisiana’s innovative career and technical education program. Jump Start prepares students to lead productive adult lives, capable of continuing their education after high school while earning certifications in high-wage career sectors. Students are required to attain industry-promulgated, industry-valued credentials in order to graduate with a Career Diploma. Schools receive the same accountability grade credit for preparing students for careers in high-demand job sectors as they do for students who achieve top academic honors
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