Health Science Career Academy West Aurora High School West Aurora SD #129 LuAnne Kelsey, Dir of Non-Traditional Programming and Resources lkelsey@sd129.org
West Aurora School District 129: Snapshot of District Demographics Ø Located in Kane County, West Aurora School District 129 serves more than 12,000 students. Ø More than half – 60.1 percent – of the district’s 12,128 students are low-income. Ø Half of the district’s students – 49.7 percent – are Latino. Ø Fifteen percent are limited English proficient.
West Aurora School District 129: District Schools West Aurora School District 129 has 17 schools: Ø 1 preschool Ø 10 elementary schools Ø 4 middle schools Ø 1 high school Ø 1 special education K-12 school for students with severe and profound learning disabilities. This is shared with East Aurora School District 131
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy History West Aurora District 129 launched a Health Sciences Academy – officially called the HOSA Academy – during the 1994-95 school year. Grant funds helped to start and support the Academy: Ø Partnership Academy Grant (3 year funding—start up) Focus : Develop an integrated program of core curriculum with a career interest area (Math, Science, English and Health Science)
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy History Funds for the Improvement of Education (USDE) Grant (5 year cycle—2005) Focus : Expansion and refinement of program, purchase of technology and instructional materials for Health Science
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy Course Sequence The Academy is a 3-year integrated program designed to allow students to explore health-related careers while receiving core curriculum in math, science and English
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy Criteria Entrance Criteria Ø Application completed and signed by student and parent Ø Interest in Health care field Ø Attendance and discipline are checked Ø Fit to course sequence
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy Course Sequence Mathematics • Geometry * Learning Enhancement courses • Algebra 2 designed to prepare student for • College Algebra Dual Credit math • Technical Geometry • Basic Math Skills* ** Dual Credit Math • Elem Algebra* • Inter Algebra* • College Math**
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy Course Sequence Science English • Biology • Patterns of Literature • ChemCom • Junior English 2 • Chemistry • Creative Writing • Advanced Topics in Medical Science • Anatomy
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy Course Sequence Health Science 1... • Provides background information on health care • Exposes students to various health careers through guest speakers, field trips, and job shadowing • Covers history of health care, roles and responsibilities of health care workers, introduction to medical terminology
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy Course Sequence Health Science 2... • Continuation of career exploration • Development of specific health care and job- related skills • Topics include growth and development, nutritional analysis, vital signs, and basic anatomy and physiology
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy Course Sequence Health Science 3... • 2 period class • Dual enrollment in West High and Waubonsee Community College • Courses include class work, lab work and clinical experiences • Students receive 6-7 college credits
West Aurora School District 129: Health Science Academy Course Sequence Health Science 3... Dual credit options include Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Phlebotomy and Massage Therapy
West Aurora District 129’s HOSA Academy West Aurora District 129 worked with HOSA – Future Health Professionals, an organization created in 1974 with 120,000 members in 47 states. Four facets appealed to D129: Ø Student organization Ø Leadership focus Ø Align with standards through the competitive events program Ø Promote career opportunities for students in health services
2013 State HOSA Awards • 7 State officers including the IL HOSA President • 101 Top 10 finishers • 32 National Qualifiers
The IL HOSA Board of Directors: 2012-2013 HOSA Advisor of the Year April Sonnefeldt
Health Science Academy: Employer Partnerships West Aurora School District 129 has partnered with two employers consistently during recent years. • Elmwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center • City of Aurora’s Community Emergency Response Team (trains students to respond in disaster situations)
Health Science Academy: Employer Partnerships • West Aurora District 129 has struggled to partner with employers who are willing to mentor high school students. • The dearth of employer partnerships hamstrings the district’s ability to offer project-based learning experiences to students. • The state’s Health Sciences Learning Exchange might foster more employer partnerships given the broad array of employers and professional associations involved.
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