So for me being here and doing the things I've done, I've had the advantage over somebody else who hasn't had this. These proficiency-based certificates are designed to provide added value to the traditional high school diploma. Work on completing the details of the CAM is still in progress at the state level, but David Douglas is already piloting the CAM through its career paths.
Every student entering the school begins an initial career exploration in middle school.
This is followed by an intense semester of career exploration in the ninth and tenth grades. A flexible, individualized education plan is developed for the high school years, as well as the steps beyond. These courses combine a range of career and interest inventory tests with some research into the various careers associated with each student's choice of career constellation. Local business participation helps to make the PACE classes highly relevant to students' career explorations. Through their partnership with the Oregon Business Council, all PACE I classes tour a business to learn more about a range of jobs that represent many of the school's 7 constellations.