Career Focused Education

Pathful Connect - Videos, On-line Chats, Virtual Field Trips

Students will have career readiness experiences in elementary, middle and high school grade bands centered around the 5 high demand career areas of Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Transportation/Mobility/ Logistics/Energy. Virtual connections with those in business and industry can also be experienced via a digital platform utilizing Pathful Connect.

Xello - Educational Development Plans

Students, families, and educators will access the power of the XELLO digital platform to engage K-12 students in personal and career awareness and exploration lessons and activities. Students in grades 6-12 will complete and update their Educational Development Plans each year. Also, high school students will graduate with a completed resume and Talent Portfolio.

Career Pathway Academies 

Career Pathway Academies provide a transformative approach to secondary education by connecting students’ interests with meaningful career opportunities. Through engaging, industry-aligned learning experiences, students develop the technical, academic, and professional skills needed for success beyond high school. These academies create a bridge between classroom learning and postsecondary pathways, preparing students for college, careers, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and the workforce. 

Current Pathway Academies

• Academy of Business Management (CTE)
• Academy of Culinary Arts (CTE)
• Academy of Digital/Multimedia Design (CTE)
• Academy of Finance (CTE)
• Academy of Marketing & Entrepreneurship (CTE)
• Academy of Mechatronics (Engineering & Robotics) (CTE)
• Academy Public Safety - Firefighting/Medical First Responder/Emergency Medical Technician (Fire Academy) (CTE)
• Academy of Radio and TV Production(CTE)
• Academy of Health Sciences (NAF)
• Academy of Information Technology, which includes AP Computer Science, Game Design (Dual Enrollment with Lawrence Tech University), and Cybersecurity (Dual Enrollment with Lawrence Tech University) (NAF)
• Academy of Performing Arts, which includes instrumental, voice, dance, and theater (NAF)

How to Choose a Career Academy

1. Discuss options with your school counselor
2. Explore career interest and skills through Xello
3. Research potential occupations and career fields
4. Review the high school’s Career Academy offerings

To enroll in a Career Pathway Academy Program, students must be a high school sophomore, junior or senior, and must be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA or above).

Flexibility within the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) supports the need for personalization and innovation in an atmosphere of high expectations and high support for students earning a diploma in Michigan. Students who successfully complete a CTE program may exchange some of these credits to fulfill MMC requirements for graduation. This will allow students a chance to further career exploration and preparation while still being able to graduate on time. 

Career and Technical Education classes that make-up the complete program.

Career and Technical Education Program Credit Equivalents

Work-Based Learning is a program to provide students with a planned program of job training and other employment experiences related to a chosen career. It also allows students to participate in career awareness, career exploration, and career preparedness opportunities that are connected with their work readiness goals. Students who are enrolled in state-approved CTE programs are required to participate in work-based learning initiatives prior to becoming a program finisher. High school pathway students can also take advantage of work-based learning opportunities that are associated with their career academy alignment.

Work-Based Learning has replaced the old CO-OP programs that were offered at high schools. They are a full continuum of experiences progressing in quality and intensity that is accessible to every student throughout their program of study. Work-Based Learning experiences should be matched to the student’s specific career interests, abilities, maturity, and progression through the program. 

Student Eligibility for Work-based Learning Program

According to the Michigan Department of Education, there are six major recognized types of work-based learning experiences for secondary students in Michigan, as well as an additional school-related component regarding the employment of minors as follows:

• Student/Visitor
• Volunteer
• Work-based learning non-CTE programs (paid and unpaid student learner)
• Work-based learning state-approved CTE programs (paid and unpaid student learner)
• In-district/In-school placement (unpaid student learner)
• Minor employee with a work permit

Depending on the type of learning experience, the pupil might be engaged for one hour, one day, one semester, or even one year in length. The learning experience may be paid or unpaid, serves all students, and can be an in-school or out-of-school placement.

The following criteria should be met for Work-Based Learning eligibility:

• The student should not have a record of excessive absences.
• The student should be enrolled in a career pathway program, with at least a 2.0 GPA.
• The student should be on track to graduate and classified as a junior or senior.
• The student should have followed class and school policies concerning discipline in the present and previous years and have had no excessive discipline referrals.

How to obtain a Youth Employment Work Permit

Paid Placements

A work-based student in a paid placement becomes an employee of the business in which they are placed and is afforded all the rights and privileges of an employee.  The placement must be related to the career pathway program in which the student is enrolled. Paid placements must still meet WBL requirements, such as the completion of a training plan and training agreement, and youth employment policies and rules, and the student must continue to attend their career pathway class for no less than 40 minutes each week.  Students in paid placements are not required to adjust their training plan every 45 hours to avoid duplication of tasks.

Unpaid Placements

A work-based learning student sustained, unpaid WBL placements typically occur during the scheduled classroom time, unless a special exception is documented.  Unpaid career pathway placements may be off-site with a business/industry partner.  The training cannot be for more than 45 hours per specific training experience; learning experiences must be documented in the training plan.  Different training experiences may occur at one location if there are multiple training plans with no duplication of tasks and an agreement that clearly defines separate training experiences every 45 hours.  

In -District Placements

n-district placements are an opportunity for career pathway students to gain work experience and build skills in placements Detroit Public Schools Community District.  Placements may occur in a variety of settings. 

To place a student in an in-district placement, the following criteria must be met: 

• A student must be enrolled in the state-approved CTE program; in-district placement is not allowed for non-CTE students.  
• A student must attend the CTE program for 40 minutes per week, either in person or online.  
• An In-District Placement Form is used in lieu of a training agreement.

Registered Youth Apprenticeship

Registered Youth Apprenticeship programs include a training program registered with the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and specific to the business and industry cluster area Connection to Competencies and Standards. 

Xello (K-12) 

Educational Development Plans (EDPs) COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS SOFTWARE Every Student, Future Ready!

This K-12 online program fully engages every student in building the skills, knowledge, and plans for future success — regardless of background, ability, or pathway.

Click HERE to Access Xello

Pathful Connect (K-12)

Pathful Connects creates a bridge for educators and learners to connect with a network of industry professionals, virtually, bringing real-world relevance and career exposure to all students.

Click HERE to Access Pathful Connect

 National Academy Foundation - NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready.  

Southfield Public Schools partners with the National Academy Foundation (NAF) to prepare students for college and careers.  

NAF’s educational design ignites students’ passion for learning and gives businesses the opportunity to shape America’s future workforce by transforming the learning environment to include STEM-infused industry-specific curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships.

Current NAF Academies 

Southfield High School A&T:  Features three academies

• Health Sciences Healthcare occupations are projected to add over 19 million new jobs by 2034. Our students build a foundation for career success early on through curricula and hands-on learning in physiology, biotechnology, global health, and more. 
• Information Technology Demand for IT professionals will stem from greater emphasis on AI, cloud computing big data, and information security. Our Information Technology pathway advances hands-on learning in Cybersecurity, Coding, web design, and computer science principles.
• Performing Arts This program offers beyond traditional education. Classroom instruction includes musical theater production, band, choir, dance elements, graphic design and audio-video productions.

Student Benefits & Opportunities

Students gain hands-on experience through industry-specific curriculum, professional mentoring, and paid internships with corporate partners.  

Director of Career Focused Education
Arese Robinson
arese.robinson@southfieldk12.org