CLPS is a Ford NGL Community!
Center Line Public Schools has been selected as the newest Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL) Community! The Academies of Center Line are now part of the Ford NGL national network supported by Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company.
Ford NGL is nationally recognized for its unique approach to transforming public high schools into career-themed academies that better prepare students for college and professional success in today’s competitive global economy while at the same time improving workforce outcomes and overall community prosperity.
Academy students in Center Line Public Schools will learn academics through the lens of a potential career, such as engineering, health care, technology or marketing. They will have the opportunity to participate in authentic work-based learning opportunities, job shadows, and other career exploration activities with local employers. Students will work closely with professionals in their field of interest, adding relevance to their studies and connecting classroom knowledge to success in the workplace.
In order to be selected as a Ford NGL community, Center Line Public Schools developed a three-year master plan to ensure that all high school students are learning in career academies and the structures and process are in place to engage local and regional employers and civic leaders in supporting and sustaining these academies.
“Center Line Public Schools is proud to be a part of a network which cultivates a spirit of innovation and continual growth to provide each and every student experiences and opportunities that are relevant for their future,” said Lisa Oleski, assistant superintendent.
Ford NGL communities have demonstrated success through higher graduation rates, increased academic achievement, lower dropout rates, and industry certifications earned in high school. Districts in the Ford NGL network have shown increased student engagement at both the high school and postsecondary levels, developing more robust ties between educators and local employers, generating a stronger talent-development pipeline for high-demand careers, and boosting community prosperity.
Through the Ford NGL process, districts and their communities become partners and align their resources to improve student outcomes and support the region’s workforce and economic development needs.
"A comprehensive economic development strategy is dependent on a community's ability to prepare the workforce of the future for high-demand, high-earning careers,” said Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development. “When students learn through the lens of industry, they gain a first-hand experience in a variety of fields and gain a stronger sense of what type of work meets their abilities, interests and lifestyle goals."
“Ford NGL research has proven that community ownership and accountability is just as important to educating our children as good study habits and hard work,” said Cheryl Carrier, executive director, Ford Next Generation Learning. “The Ford NGL partnership gives students and teachers a competitive edge that improves their chances for future success and will benefit the workforce and economic development needs of a region for years to come.”
In 2017, Ford Motor Company Fund invested more than $18 million in scholarships and other innovative education initiatives, such as Ford NGL.
About Ford Motor Company Fund
Ford Motor Company Fund is the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. Established in 1949, Ford Fund invests in transformational programs that advance innovation, empower people, promote social mobility and improve community prosperity. Ford Fund works with local and global partners to create opportunities in education, encourage safe driving, enlist employee volunteers and enrich community life. Ford Fund’s signature programs include Ford Blue Oval Scholars, Ford College Community Challenge, Ford Driving Dreams, Ford Driving Skills for Life, Ford Next Generation Learning and the Ford Volunteer Corps. For more information, visit http://community.ford.com, or join us on Facebook at @FordFund and Twitter @FordFund.
About Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development
The Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development is proud to be the Convening Organization for the Academies of Center Line. The Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development supports an environment where businesses prosper and people thrive. Its activities and programs are focused on stimulating the local economy through business retention, expansion and attraction while improving the overall quality of life for residents. The department specializes in providing services to businesses at all stages of development. For more information, visit https://ped.macombgov.org/PED-Home, or join us on Facebook at @MacombCountyPlanningAndEconomicDevelopment and Twitter @MacombNewsNow