My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP)
College and Career Ready through MyCAP Implementation
The Department is offering a three workshop Professional Development Series to prepare students for college and careers through the implementation of My Career and Academic Plan. The CCR/MyCAP initiative engages students in authentic postsecondary planning through a continuum of learning focused on the individual student’s interests, skills and talents. This process allows students to be the drivers of their education and empowers them to connect their course taking with career interests, to seek out career development opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships, capstone projects, and to identify the personal, social, and behavioral skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
Highlights of the 2021-2022 CCR/MyCAP offerings include: (see the full calendar )
- Informational meeting for principals on August 10th @ 9AM.
- A three workshop PD Training for middle schools and one for high schools.
- A new framework has been completed for grades 6–8 to complement the Grades 9–12 framework (frameworks can be found here.)
- For schools who have attended a PD series already, there will be a CCR/MyCAP Update for your implementation teams on October 5, 2021. More information will be sent closer to the date.
- Finally, there is funding available to pay stipends for school teams to attend the trainings which will be held after school hours. For information on this grant, visit FY2022 Fund Code 434: MyCAP Development and Implementation.
What Is My Career and Academic Plan?
My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP) is a student-centered, multi-year planning tool designed to provide students with ongoing opportunities to plan for their academic, personal/social and career success. Because the primary author of MyCAP is the student with guidance from at least one identified caring adult in the school setting and in consultation with parents/guardians, students are empowered to seek out learning opportunities that align with their individual career interests and self-defined goals. Through identification of interests and goals along with an acknowledgement of any barriers to success and supports necessary to overcome those barriers, MyCAP maps the academic plan, personal/social skill attainment, and workplace readiness activities required for postsecondary success. As the student comes to own his/her choices and future planning, MyCAP may also improve student engagement.
MyCAP implementation supports district and school goals such as: completion of MassCore (MA recommended program of high school study); increasing the number of students who take and pass Advanced Placement (AP) and college level academic courses; increasing student attendance and engagement; increasing high school graduation rates; and increasing the number of students enrolling, persisting and attaining a postsecondary credential.
MyCAP is intended for ALL students beginning as early as sixth grade. The MyCAP tool consists of both a process and an electronic platform. The electronic platform provides a place to organize and record progress related to academic achievement, personal/social skill development, and career development information that leads to workplace readiness. However, it is within the process that students: set attainable goals based on individual interests and strengths; engage in activities that promote academic achievement, personal social skill development and career development education; promote communication between students, school staff, parents, and other influential adults; and support school and district improvement efforts that are responsive to students' interests and needs.
My Career and Academic Plan At-a-Glance:
College and Career Readiness (CCR)
The Department, in partnership with MASCA (Massachusetts School Counselor Association) and supported by the Public Consulting Group created a three day workshop series for high schools in the 2019-2020 school year designed to provide schools an opportunity to create a high quality college and career readiness program in combination with a student-driven academic and career planning process called MyCAP (My Career and Academic Plan). This training is aligned with the MA definition of College and Career Readiness and the MA Model for Comprehensive School Counseling 2.0 . Subsequently, trainings were offered in each of the following years and will again be offered in school year 2021-2022. Materials from the first year of the high school trainings are available below.
The CCR/MyCAP trainings offer schools the opportunity to create their own CCR program using the CCR Framework in combination with the MyCAP process and tool. Participants learn how to integrate the three domains of college and career readiness (Academic, Personal/Social, and Career Development) into a program of learning objectives for each grade 9–12, including activities and lessons to ensure student success in high school, in a post-secondary pathway and in life.
Together CCR and MyCAP engages students in authentic postsecondary planning through a continuum of learning focused on the individual student’s interests, skills, and talents. This process allows students to be the drivers of their education and empowers them to connect their course taking with career interests, to seek out career development opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships, capstone projects, and to identify the personal, social and behavioral skills needed to be successful in the workplace.
A new framework for middle schools (grades 6-8) has been developed and a similar training will be offered in school year 2021-2022 for middle schools interested in implementing the CCR/MyCAP process.
Training Materials:
MEFA Pathways: Your Plan for the Future
MEFA Pathways: YourPlanForTheFuture is an initiative of MEFA (the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority), in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.
MEFA Pathways: YourPlanForTheFuture allows students to create a secure personal portfolio, search for college and career information, apply to colleges and universities online and have a solid college and career plan. If you are interested in getting your school or student involved please visit MEFA Pathways: YourPlanForTheFuture.
Last Updated: July 28, 2021