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The main objective for the Graduation Specialists in Barrow County is to make sure that students have a clear path to graduating on time with their cohort. The work they do requires an understanding of not only what will motivate students to succeed, but also knowledge of different avenues students can take to meet the requirements of graduation.
Most of the students the graduation specialists work with graduate with a traditional high school diploma that requires earning the right combination of 24 credits. However, there is another path that some students take that help them earn their academic credits and certificates towards future careers. This diploma is called the Accelerated Career Education (ACE) Grant Program.
The ACE diploma allows students to earn 8 academic credits, a health and PE credit, and two technical career certificates (TCC’s). The TCC’s are earned at a technical college and provide students the skills to enter the workforce after they graduate high school. The program is open to 10th-12th graders and their courses at the technical college are funded by the state.
While students who earn the ACE diploma are eligible to continue on with their education at a technical college, most enter the workforce upon graduation. Most of our students in Barrow County who pursue these diplomas do their coursework at the Barrow campus of Lanier Tech. Lanier Tech offers several career pathways that include welding, industrial maintenance, automotive technology, and early childhood education.
Several Grad Track students have earned their ACE diploma and have jumped straight into the workforce. We have several students who now have careers in welding and early childhood education.
The program is a great option for students who know they want to earn skills that will prepare them for the workforce. Additionally, some of our Grad Track students know that a traditional path to a diploma is not for them. Having this option has helped students earn their diploma and simultaneously become job ready.