As Arkansas Governor Sanders works with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), she has mapped out various ways in which students can graduate high school with a standard diploma, a diploma with merit, or a diploma with distinction through DESE Success-Ready Pathways. By partnering with UAHT, Hope Public Schools will be providing its students increased coursework pathways starting when a student enters the High School in ninth grade. By the time a student graduates, that student could not only have a traditional high school diploma, but could also have advanced trade skills, trade certifications, certificates of proficiency, an associates degree, or other Success-Ready designations.
The Academies of Hope areas of certification, proficiency, and degree include (but may not be limited to): Associates Degrees, CNA, EMT, Construction Technology, Welding, and Coding. The goal of the program is that 80% of Hope High School students graduate with a Diploma-PLUS. As part of the district's existing Cradle-to-College and Career philosophy, students could be offered internships tied to high-wage/high-demand jobs and realize a guarantee of next steps after high school. While enrolled in elementary school, students can explore various educational interests which develop further into the middle school programs. Once a student reaches ninth grade, they can select a graduation pathway which will help them achieve their goals through the Academies of Hope as part of the HopeUnlimited program.
The DESE graduation requirements for all students focuses on Success-Ready Pathways. These include Student Success Plans, Academic Core Courses, and Purposeful Courses in a Success-Ready Pathway. These first set of requirements lead a student to a traditional high school diploma. DESE provides for "PLUS" options which can include Merit Demonstration and/or Distinction Demonstration, depending on the coursework and completion status of the student. More information about Success-Ready Pathways can be found at https://dcte.ade.arkansas.gov/Page/CareerReadiness.
For more information about HopeUnlimited and the Academies of Hope, please visit: https://5il.co/3adfz
