Paulding County to add drone and teaching pathways at College and Career Academy
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Summary
Tiffany Frasier told the board the district is expanding PCCA pathways: a 'teaching as a profession' dual‑enrollment pathway is underway, law‑enforcement pathway exploration is limited by instructor shortages, and a new avionics/unmanned aircraft systems (drone) pathway will begin in the fall with 22 students currently enrolled.
Tiffany Frasier, presenting on Promise Schools and the Paulding County College & Career Academy (PCCA), outlined new and expanded career pathways the district plans to offer.
Frasier said the district has opened a “teaching as a profession” pathway with a Georgia Highlands‑certified teacher providing dual‑enrollment credit; seven students are currently enrolled and the program will expand next semester. A student survey showed 64% interest in teaching and 70% interest in taking a dual‑enrollment component at PCCA.
The district considered a law‑enforcement and criminal‑investigations pathway but identified two main barriers: a shortage of qualified instructors and the requirement that instructors hold a master’s degree in criminal justice — a credential many local college partners lack, Frasier said.
One new program Frasier highlighted is an avionics/unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drone pathway planned for the fall. She said the program already has 22 students enrolled and will align with local assets, including the county airport and regional aviation partners. Frasier explained that a 9‑12 certified science teacher willing to obtain the FAA remote‑pilot license (a course of roughly two months) can staff the program, and students age 16 or older can take the FAA remote‑pilot test to become licensed operators.
Frasier framed these additions as both workforce development and post‑secondary opportunity: the drone pathway offers immediate entrepreneurial and employment options, while dual‑enrollment credits in teaching create pathways for students to enter the educator workforce.
What’s next: the district will continue to refine pathway eligibility, enrollment capacity and dual‑enrollment agreements; leaders said they will include these program updates in the upcoming board retreat and future board meetings.
