For more information contact:
Timothy Callahan, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
North Adams Public Schools
tcallahan@napsk12.org
(413) 776-1458
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DRURY HIGH SCHOOL RECOGNIZED AS LEADER IN THE STATE
Drury High School’s My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) work was praised by Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) representatives this week and identified as an exemplary program. MyCAP is a holistic, multi-year planning tool that helps students identify areas of interest, reflect on their own assets and skills, and prepare for opportunities in the future.
Speaking at the state’s November MyCAP conference in Marlborough, Lisa Harney, Coordinator of Secondary Supports at the DESE, repeatedly highlighted the MyCAP programming at Drury High School and referenced it as a model for other programs across the state. Dr. Scott Solberg, Professor of Counseling Psychology at Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, described Drury’s use of teachers as college and career coaches as a model worthy of recognition and emulation. As such, Drury’s MyCAP team was invited to present at the state MyCAP conference in January.
Drury High School began participating in MyCAP planning sessions at the state level in 2019, in preparation for the school’s initial Early College proposal. While this work is typically the domain of a guidance counselor, the MyCAP approach broadens its scope to include teachers and a representative from the Drury administration, in order to provide a greater degree of support to students each year. Drury’s implementation includes regular MyCAP planning team meetings to map college and career readiness experiences for students, and the provision of one-on-one support and planning sessions for students in grades 7-12 to ensure student readiness.
Drury High School principal Stephanie Kopala, previous Director of Curriculum and Instruction and part of the initial MyCAP process, said, “MyCAP is a curriculum that empowers Drury students to recognize their interests and strengths while building their confidence to achieve personal and academic goals in a supportive learning environment.” Kopala further explained, “Our MyCAP coaches, starting in grade seven, co-craft an individualized plan, so each student has a foundation for our Early College programming. We want our students to understand that their voice is the most important voice in the room in regards to their future: which allows for more personalized job immersion experiences, such as job shadows and internships within the community.”
With Drury High School’s expansion of Early College programming, the MyCAP work has become even more integral to the student experience at Drury High School. North Adams Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Timothy Callahan described MyCAP as “essential work,” and said, “even with the vast amount of information available online, students still need personal connections and a guide who can help them continue their education and career pursuits beyond high school. Drury’s MyCAP programming provides that, and we appreciate the state-level recognition for our school’s efforts in service of our students.”
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