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Pre-Institutes Locations |
CHOICE IT Filmed for TV Program With Chancellor David Armstrong
David Armstrong, Florida’s Chancellor of Community Colleges and Workforce Education (FCCWE), is a very personable man, who knows how to engage his audience -- even when they're teenagers on summer break. He visited the CHOICE IT (Information Technology) Institute at Niceville High School yesterday morning, to film part of a TV program about Florida’s best practices in career education. The show is being produced by the Florida Channel at WFSU-TV in Tallahassee. Local PBS stations from around the state will air the show during the month of August. Armstrong was already familiar with the CHOICE model of career and college preparation, which emphasizes ”real-world” training and industry certification. He explained to the students and faculty that the success of the CHOICE program would be discussed in detail at a Workforce Summit to be held in South Florida. “We want to educate other superintendents and principals about what you’re doing here,” he explained. Then he asked the students to tell him why they were drawn to the CHOICE IT Institute and what they planned to do after high school. Upcoming sophomore Sean Arrieta received his webmaster certification this year. He told the Chancellor that he was attracted by the dual nature of the CHOICE program. “You can go on to college, if you want,” he explained, ”But you’re able to enter the workforce straight from high school, too. I also like that we’re always doing something new and exciting and the teachers here are very helpful.” “These classes give you advanced technical skills that even AP courses and university classes don’t give you,” added junior Josh Boston. The students attend regular classes at Niceville High School and take electives at the CHOICE IT Institute, which is on the same campus. The IT Institute offers basic introductory classes as well as classes in Programming, Web Design, Digital Media, Software Development, PC Support, Networking and Database Development. The curriculum for all of the classes is designed to prepare the students for certification by industry leaders such as Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, Macromedia and Adobe. According to IT Dean Patti Bonezzi, 226 industry certifications in seven different areas have already been earned by her students. Industry certification guarantees employers that the student is an expert in the program, giving the students a big edge over other job-seekers. The pass rate at the IT Institute is far higher than the industry average, thanks to intensive preparation by both teachers and students. For the students, the IT Institute has most of all meant a chance to combine their passion with schoolwork. Zachary Boswell’s enthusiasm for computers was passed down from his father, who works for IBM. He was thrilled to be able to take the CHOICE IT classes. “I love being able to design and develop websites and even games,” he said. He enjoyed his classes so much, he said: “I’m hoping to be a teacher here.” Jillian Knight is a CHOICE graduate who is heading to the Florida Institute of Technology this fall. She stated that the Oracle classes she took at CHOICE IT were the best thing that had ever happened to her. She thrived on the challenge and was particularly drawn to the combination of science and art that the program offered. Chancellor Armstrong is in frequent contact with industry leaders about the types of skills that are needed in the workplace. He advised the students not to neglect communication courses in their studies. Business leaders need computer experts who know how to communicate with others, he explained. Another important ability that businesses look for is critical thinking and the ability to solve complex problems, which is why math and computer classes are so important. Niceville High School's principal, Janie Varner, pointed out that a key component of the institute's success has been the teachers' commitment and enthusiasm. The instructors are all industry-certified themselves. Some have come from an education background, while others were hired from industry. “These teachers have made the courses relevant and challenging,” stated Varner. Teacher April Branscome is hooked on the CHOICE program and on the importance of industry certification. “The certifications drive the kids,” she said. “We started a CI Dub Club for those who got the CIW (Certified Internet Webmaster) certificate. There’s a lot of competition, but they encourage each other.” *** Developed by Okaloosa Schools, CHOICE is a method of career education that allows high school students to achieve nationally recognized industry certifications in aerospace, information technology, construction technology, engineering, and digital design while at the same time receiving high school diplomas and fully-paid university credits. In its first two years of operation, CHOICE has enrolled over 1,600 students who have earned industry certifications, college credits, and scholarships worth nearly $5 million. The institutes are open to students attending public, charter, or private high schools as well as home-schoolers. For more information about the CHOICE program, contact: Dr. Frank Fuller or visit the CHOICE website at: |
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Copyright 2007 by Okaloosa County School District |
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