Space Academy Program FAQs
Why would a district want to Implement the Space Florida Academy Program?
The Space Florida Academy Program is an effort to celebrate the excellent work which is currently underway in Florida school districts. Credentials and certificate programs identified as desirable by the aerospace industry (360 out of the 550 on the State’s Master Credential List) are being offered in nearly every high school in Florida at some level. Highlighting these currently offered classes by renaming them as part of the “Space Florida Academy Program” fulfills the statutory requirement for every student to complete a CTE as a graduation requirement while also providing them a pathway to a potential lucrative employment with their high school diploma.
A concerted effort was made in 2019 by Gov DeSantis to focus on career and technical education in Florida’s K-20 school system. Subsequent legislative actions supported the Governor’s efforts and resulted in the creation of the REACH office. Housed in the Executive Office of the Governor, this collaborative effort between the Department of Education and the Department of Commerce has provided needed clarity on what CTE programs are offered and what benefits they provide to Florida’s current and future industrial base. A “Master Credentials List” developed by the REACH office gave Space Florida the opportunity to begin a series of discussions with industry leaders to identify which “approved” credential and certificate programs would be most desirable to aerospace employers.
How does a Florida school district receive the designation of Space Florida School District?
Any Florida school district offering at least one CTE program which generates any of the identified priority skills/credentials by Florida’s aerospace employers will receive the designation of Space Florida School District. An interested school district can request a Space Florida Academy application at any time. In the application, the district will submit proposed programs that generate the identified priority credentials as outlined by Space Florida in the 2024-2025 Masters Credentials List. The district will indicate which high schools, and which eligible credentials will be offered at each location. Once the application is submitted, Space Florida will verify the information provided and “approve” the district to move forward with the designation.
How are courses and programs qualified as Space Florida Academy Program eligible?
Space Florida spent nearly two years in consultation with aerospace industry leaders to identify thecritical skills and corresponding credentials on the state’s Master Credential’s List most soughtafter by their respective aerospace recruiters. Approximately 360 of the 550 approved credentials on the Master Credential’s List were deemed “eligible” by the aerospace industry. Space Florida, in turn, has identified the CTE programs offered in Florida’s schools districts committed to generating these priority skills and credentials. These programs become part of the Space Florida Academy Program. Some examples include HVAC, Welding, Wire Harnessing or Cybersecurity.
Why would a student enroll in a course within the Space Florida Academy Program?
First and foremost, Florida High school graduation requirements include completion of a CTE course. The goal of the Space Florida Academy Program is to entice a student to take an eligible CTE course to become proficient in essential skills required for employment in the aerospace industry. For motivated students, the program gives them the opportunity “stack” credentials and demonstrate proficiency by earning industry credentials through rigorous training, coursework, work-based learning opportunities, and at times, dual enrollment (resulting in college credits at the time of graduation).
How would a student enroll?
Any student can enroll into a Space Florida Academy Program eligible course via their respective registrar/guidance counselor office provided the program is not at capacity.
How do students know which courses qualify?
Each school district will promote the Space Florida Academy Program utilizing a toolkit provided by Space Florida. Eligible courses will be identified by the Space Florida logo in each participating school’s course catalog whether physically or online. A list of all eligible courses offered statewidecan be found on Space Florida’s website here.
How do parents learn more about this option for their students?
Each school district designated a Space Florida School District will be recognized on Space Florida’s website here. Districts should employ whatever means they deem suitable, including utilizing the Space Florida promotional toolkit, to reach parents and families and bring awareness of this opportunity. Ultimately, it is up to each district to decide how to market the Space Florida Academy Program to their communities with support from Space Florida.
Is the Space Florida Space Academy Program limited to high school programs?
Yes.
How does the Space Florida Academy Program benefit employers?
A Florida school district choosing to incorporate the Space Florida Academy Program within their high schools will be designated as a Space Florida School District. This designation indicates to aerospace employers, along with the related industries, which school districts (and the specific high schools therein) that are committed to generating qualified talent through their eligible CTE offerings.
How will employers know where to look for talent?
Space Florida will provide on their website which school districts have received the Space Florida School District designation. As indicated on the Space Florida Talent Heat Map on the website, an employer will identify the following:
- District/county participation in Space Florida Academy Program
- Specific high schools participating within each district
- Career and technical education (CTE) courses offered in each district/high school
- Total credentials earned by each district