Alva Review-Courier -

What do you want to be when you grow up? According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, in America there are over 821 occupations that could be valid answers to that question. With so many options available, how can each student learn about all the possibilities? The Oklahoma Department of Education is focusing on helping students find that answer.

Step into an education setting and you will soon hear the buzz word ICAP. ICAP is an acronym for Individualized Career Academic Plan. Although this can sound complicated and overwhelming, ICAP is simply just a plan for the future. ICAP focuses on having students understand and identify their own interests, strengths, values and learning styles. The goal is to have each student create a vision for the future and develop a plan for achieving their individual goals. It is a combination of both a process and product that will help students engage in academic and career development activities. While this is a student-driven process, collaboration is encouraged by educators, parents and the community. This plan is designed for students by students to be better prepared and more informed about the education and training required to meet each of their personal goals.

Alva Public Schools is doing their part to assist students in this journey. The elementary schools are working to introduce the younger students to career clusters. Alva Middle School will once again encourage the sixth grade class to attend the Sixth-Grade Career Fair sponsored by Northwest Technology Center and each eighth-grade student will get the chance to choose a career path and have lunch with a volunteer mentor who is employed in that career path. New this year, both the high school and middle school are implementing ICAP advisory mentorships with small groups of students and staff members. These groups will meet monthly to address career options and educational requirements.

APS encourages parents and community members to talk to students about their ICAP plans and assist them in sharing their career and educational vision. If you have any questions regarding ICAP, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s counselor: Misty Beiswanger- AHS, Jaci Heaton- AMS, Ilene Littlefield-3rd-5th, and Cindy Baker- PK-2nd.