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Jefferson County Public Schools unveils Academies of Louisville

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 30, 2018) — Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Acting Superintendent Marty Pollio joined state and local leaders today to celebrate the 13 inaugural business partnerships formed to support the Academies of Louisville initiative.

Speaking at Marion C. Moore School, one of the schools that began implementing the academy model in August 2017, Dr. Pollio told representatives of the 13 businesses that their commitment would not only make a difference in the students’ lives, but in their companies and the greater community.

“What happens in our classrooms today impacts what happens in our world tomorrow,” Dr. Pollio said.  “The academy model connects participating schools to committed business partners, and links what students learn in the classroom to real-world experiences so that all academy graduates are prepared for college, career and life, and ready to compete in a global economy.”

Launched at the start of the 2017-18 school year at 11 JCPS high schools, the Academies of Louisville initiative aims to evolve public education to equip students with the skills and know-how to meet the needs of a 21st Century workforce.  The academy model benefits all students through a personalized learning experience within a small learning community; participation in hands-on, project-based learning; development of 21st Century essential skills; and community involvement.

Local leaders said the academies initiative is the educational link to economic development in Louisville, and urged businesses to get involved and help grow the program. JCPS needs 82 established partnerships by July 1, 2018 for the start of the next school year.

“One of our goals is for Louisville to be a city of lifelong learning, and the Academies of Louisville are a great boost to that effort,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “I encourage all Louisville businesses to get involved. This is an investment in your future, and in our city’s future.”

The Academies of Louisville are built on the framework developed by Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL), which has been transforming education in communities across the United States for more than a decade.

“For years, we have been seeking new ways to help students make the connection between their high school classwork and a career.  The launch of the Academies of Louisville is a large and positive step in the right direction,” said Kent Oyler, president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. “We now look forward to expanding our partnership, engaging new businesses, and seeing how our business and education leaders really make it their own.”

“The time is now to align Kentucky’s education and workforce development efforts to better prepare students for productive careers,” said Dr. Wayne D. Lewis Jr., executive director of Educational Programs, Kentucky Education & Workforce Development Cabinet.  “We owe that to our students, and the 21st Century economy demands it. The academies model has the potential to be a critically important tool for achieving that alignment.”

For more information on the Academies of Louisville, click here.