District Administration - July/August 2011 - (Page 61)

ADVERTISEMENT Technical certifications give high school students a leg up Lee County Public Schools equips students with Adobe certifications that build professional-level skills for careers in digital media and beyond As students finish courses and hen it comes to competachieve certifications, their grades ing for jobs or gaining go up in other classes. The program admittance to colleges, also improves students’ performance students can boost their chances on the Florida Comprehensive Asof success by earning technical sessment Tests (FCAT); in some cascertifications. es, hundreds of points higher—than Lee County Public Schools, one their non-Academy peers. of the 50 largest U.S. school disHambruch attributes this success tricts, has become a model for other to the test-taking strategies and deschools in equipping students with manding coursework in the curricucertifications, including Adobe Cerlum, which strengthens students’ tified Associate (ACA) and Adobe “Adobe understands education ability to read, and interpret and Certified Expert (ACE) programs and shares our vision for what process higher-level information. that build professional-level skills in Adobe® Creative Suite® Master Col- we’re trying to accomplish with our They also learn to work in a collablection software. technical certification programs.” orative environment and think like mature professionals. “Adobe is an integral part of our The district standardized on technical certification programs,” said Jana Hambruch, project director, Office of Zone and At- Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection software to support tractor Programs and Technical, Career, and Adult Education ACA and ACE training and testing in the 2009/2010 school for the school system. “Adobe understands education and year. Since then, eight high schools have added testing censhares our vision for what we’re trying to accomplish with ters and new centers are opening rapidly. Two levels of Adobe certification are available. The ACA our technical certification programs. And, because Adobe Creative Suite applications are considered the standard, they certification, developed and deployed by Adobe partner are what students will need to know if they decide to pursue Certiport, validates entry-level skills needed to plan, design, build and maintain effective communications through digicareers in digital media.” Lee prepares students to excel in an information-based tal media. Through Certiport, Lee can conduct unlimited society. In 2005, the district launched the Academy for Tech- ACA testing in one classroom with up to 30 computers under nology Excellence (ATE) at Dunbar High School, an ethnically a once-a-year licensing fee. “With Adobe software, we are starting to open Academies diverse student population, with a large percentage coming from low-income backgrounds, and some having lim- of Digital Design to enable students to achieve ACA and ACE ited English language skills. Designed to accommodate 360 certifications,” said Denise Spence, Magnet Grant Technology 9-12 students, the ATE offers courses taught by IT-certified lead teacher, Academy for Technology Excellence, Lee Couninstructors. Well over 95% of those who started as freshmen ty Public Schools. “Students love using Adobe software—it’s a central part of our efforts to keep students engaged and to and remained in the program for all four years graduated. The ATE offers IT classes to tap students’ enthusiasm for prepare them for the future.” computers. By providing an opportunity to earn industry certifications, the ATE helps graduates secure jobs while For more information, please visit www.adobe.com. providing the business community with qualified technical professionals. W http://www.adobe.com http://www.adobe.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - July/August 2011

District Administration - July/August 2011
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
Facilities News
Inside the Law
District Profile
Administrator Profile
The Social Media Dilemma
Is Year-Round Schooling on Track?
After 50 Years, Ethnic Studies Still Controversial
Finding the Right Purchasing Solution
Look, Listen, Learn
Research Center
Supervisor’s Opinion
Going Mobile
Superintendent’s Insight
Books
Product Focus
New Products
Online Edge

District Administration - July/August 2011