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Urbandale board reviews annual update to District Career and Academic Plan
Summary
District leaders presented the annual review of the District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP), describing stakeholder engagement, use of Xello for individual career plans, and goals to strengthen career-connected learning and scaffolding from 8th through 12th grade.
Urbandale Community School District staff on March 3 presented the annual update to the district’s District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP), summarizing stakeholder engagement, implementation to date and goals for strengthening career-connected learning and individual career plans.
Why it matters: Iowa code requires a District Career and Academic Plan for grades eight through twelve; the DCAP guides career exploration, postsecondary planning, work-based learning and four‑year academic planning that support students’ post‑high‑school decisions.
What presenters described: Michelle (director of teaching) and Joni Wagner (work-based learning facilitator at the high school) outlined a year of work by cross-level teams. The district formed three teams focused on “life ready,” “career ready,” and “college ready” strands with about 35 people participating, including teachers, administrators and special‑education and counseling staff. Community and industry partners provided feedback on draft plan components, and the school improvement advisory committee reviewed sections as well.
The presentation listed data sources used in root‑cause analysis, including attendance, concurrent-enrollment and FAFSA completion. The district moved its individual career information and planning system from Naviance to Xello and said eighth graders begin their four‑year plans there; parents in grades 8–12 have been invited to view and digitally sign plans in Xello.
Progress and next steps: The district reported progress on prior-year goals, noting most goals are complete or in progress; one area still in progress is full implementation of Xello in all classrooms. The plan’s five essential components were described (self‑understanding; career information; career exploration; postsecondary exploration; career/postsecondary decision supports). Improvement goals include clearer scaffolding across grades, stronger career‑connected learning and deeper business/internship connections.
Ending: Staff said they will continue drafting and formatting the state-submitted plan, respond to the state feedback and finalize sections before the state deadline in March. The board did not take a vote on the DCAP itself at this meeting.
