Nichols Career Center in Jefferson City has shown significant progress in multiple measures of student success, according to its latest data from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Nichols Career Center met every career and technical education indicator measured in DESE's Missouri Comprehensive Data System designed to provide data to the public. This is the first time since 2015 that NCC has met every indicator and the second time it has done so in the past 14 years when the data was first collected, according to a JC Schools news release.
The data from the 2020-21 school year shows significant increases in the graduation rate, post-program placement rate, post-secondary credentials and non-traditional program concentration rate.
"The Nichols Career Center staff and students deserve our congratulations for the extraordinary growth they've made, especially while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic," Superintendent Larry Linthacum said in the news release. "I want to thank the Nichols Career Center staff for their commitment to ensuring students in JC Schools and throughout our community leave us college and career ready."
The career and technical education concentrator graduation rate measures the number of students who have completed at least two career and technical education courses in a single career pathway and graduated from high school. Nichols Career Center's 2021 technical education concentrator graduation rate was 99.19 percent. This is 8.19 percent higher than the state-adjusted performance level and the second highest career and technical education concentrator graduation rate since the data was first collected 14 years ago.
The post-program placement rate measures the percentage of students who, after the second quarter of graduating or leaving a career and technical education program, are in a job, post-secondary education, advanced training, military service or certain volunteer/service programs. NCC recorded a 95.15 percent post-program placement rate, which is 25.15 percent higher than the state-adjusted performance level.
NCC saw an 8.2 percent increase in students who attained an industry-recognized post-secondary credential, a certificate awarded by post-secondary institutions such as a four-year college degree, two-year associate's degree or industry certification that aligns to area careers. All NCC programs offer students the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials. Depending on their field of choice, students can attain this credential from one of 11 different organizations, including the American Culinary Federation, American Welding Society and Building Performance Institute.
The non-traditional program concentration rate measures the percentage of career and technical education students concentrating in a career and technical education program that leads to non-traditional fields for their gender. A student is counted under this indicator if individuals from their gender comprise less than 25 percent of the individuals employed in the related occupation or field of work. Nichols Career Center's non-traditional program concentration rate is 23.11 percent above the state-adjusted performance level.
In the news release, NCC Director Cody Bashore said this data shows the dedication of the NCC staff and students is paying off.
"Our business and industry partners have communicated to us loud and clear that they need employees that have those soft skills that not only make them great workers, but good employees," he said. "This is why the past few years we have made teaching employability skills one of our top priorities for our students, and our data is reflective of that effort. "
Gary Verslues, JC Schools assistant superintendent of secondary education, said in the news release, "NCC takes pride in providing its students with an exceptional education in the career and technical arts. The data is proof of what we've known for so long - Nichols Career Center gives students incredible opportunities for better futures."