As they study how public schools can better prepare their children for work, Georgia Department of Education employees are going to watch Whitfield County.
The county’s school system is one of five participating in the launch of the Economic Development Partnership program. The initiative is supposed to help build stronger ties between local employers and school systems, Department of Education spokeswoman Meghan Frick said. The hope? With close partnerships, school officials can figure out how to train students to fill open jobs in their communities.
In addition to Whitfield County, the Department of Education is partnering with Newton County, Muscogee County, Wayne County and Marietta City Schools. The programs are not getting any extra money. The state’s education leaders hope they can learn “best practices” and take them to other counties.
“We did specifically look for systems doing good work,” Frick said. “It’s an honor and recognition for Whitfield County Schools.”
For years, Whitfield County Schools spokesman Eric Beavers said, the system has offered a traditional career academy. Students would attend typical classes for half a day, then take courses in their areas of expertise, such as health care science or cooking.