Career Readiness | News

Irving ISD Adopts Career Education Model To Help Students Prepare For College and Careers

• By Sharleen Nelson
• 03/21/13

Irving Independent School District (ISD) in Texas will implement a personalized project-based learning education model designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in college and the workforce.  

For the project, the school district plans to roll out WIN Learning's Personalized Career Readiness System, a Web-based program that provides career-driven education and workforce-skills development for middle and high school students. During the 2012-2013 school year, Irving ISD 8th grade students will complete the Initial Skills Review, which measures individual career readiness and skill development disparities.

At the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, students in grades 9 and 10 will begin using the Career Readiness instruction courseware, a series of 10 standards-aligned contextual learning modules that allow them to work at their own pace, enter their assessment scores, view the jobs for which they are qualified, and review skill levels by career clusters.

Students will also be able to use the recently launched WIN Soft Skills Series program, which is designed to teach kids advanced college and workplace behavioral, attitudinal, and social skills, as well as how to be professional, communicate effectively, promote teamwork and collaboration, think critically, and solve problems.

 "Our goal is simple--every student should graduate from our high schools ready for college or a career. That means mastery of applied academics as well as necessary 'success skills' such as critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork," said Irving ISD Associate Superintendent of Academic Services Melody Paschall, in a prepared statement. "Yet there are not very many resources that can bridge the gap in showing students the relevance and the connection between what's happening in the classroom and their futures. We believe the WIN Learning system to be one of the most powerful resources available that can accelerate the preparation that will give our middle and high school students a strong path to follow to career and college readiness."

Covering most of the city of Irving and portions of Grand Prairie and Dallas, Irving Independent School District serves 34,851 students in three early childhood schools, 20 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, three high schools, a high school academy, two reassignment schools, and two learning centers. The district's operating budget is $250 million. For information about Irving ISD, visit irvingisd.net.