FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAPS Network Announces 2024 Cohort of Rural Communities Expanding Profession-Based Learning in Kansas
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran's Advocacy Secures Funding for This Initiative
Kansas City, MO– The CAPS Network, a leading organization dedicated to revolutionizing high school education, proudly announces that it has secured a substantial grant of $951,000 from the U.S. Department of Education. This grant serves as a catalyst for CAPS Network's ambitious plan to expand profession-based learning in rural America, with a particular focus on its home state of Kansas.
“Hands-on experience exposes students to new career opportunities and provides them with practical skills they can take with them into the workforce. Our country is facing significant workforce shortages in a number of industries, and the CAPS Network is helping prepare students across America, and particularly in rural school districts, to meet those demands. I’m grateful these federal resources will provide new learning opportunities for Kansas students and help address our nation’s workforce needs, ” said U.S. Senator Jerry Moran.
The primary objective of this initiative is to identify and collaborate with rural communities that share a vision of providing high school students with authentic, real-world experiences directly connected to professionals in various fields. CAPS Network is committed to subsidizing the cost of affiliation for selected school districts, offering dedicated resources, and providing consulting services to facilitate the seamless integration of the CAPS framework and programming.
2024 Cohort Announcement
CAPS Network is thrilled to announce the 2024 Cohort of rural communities participating in this initiative:
● USD 430 South Brown CountySchools in Horton, KS
● USD 407 Russell, KS
● USD 432 Victoria, KS
● USD 379 ClayCounty in Clay Center, KS
● USD 443/RuralEducation Workforce Alliance in Dodge City, KS
● USD 428 GreatBend, KS
● USD392Osborne,KS
Other districts are invited to apply for the 2025 cohort, with CAPS Network planning to award another 5-10 communities and begin working with them in Summer of 2025.
Key highlights of the initiative:
● Affiliate Expansion: CAPS Network aims to create 12-15 school district affiliations, introducing the CAPS framework and programming in 2024. This expansion will ensure rural communities have access to cutting-edge educational opportunities.
● K-12Liaison: CAPS Network has hired Allison K. Nelson as the dedicated K-12 Liaison to provide onboarding, on-ground support, and coordination for all aspects of CAPS implementation. This critical role will help ensure the success of the program in rural areas. Allison can be reached at allison@yourcapsnetwork.org.
● ResourcePlatform Access: Educators in rural Kansas will gain access to the CAPS resource platform, known as the CAPS Colab, to integrate profession-based learning into their curricula. Training opportunities on the CAPS teaching mindshift will also be made available.
● National Networking: CAPS Network will connect educators from rural Kansas with innovative educators nationwide fostering collaboration and innovation in education.
● Professional Learning Opportunities: Educators will have the opportunity to attend the CAPS Network professional learning conference, the Summer Huddle, with discounted and free passes provided by CAPS Network.
This initiative is expected to span the next three years, extending through 2025-2026. CAPS Network is excited about the positive impact this expansion will have on high school education in rural communities, and remains dedicated to fostering authentic, real-world learning experiences for students across the nation.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Corey Mohn, President & Executive Director Email: corey@yourcapsnetwork.org
About CAPS Network:
CAPS Network is a pioneering organization dedicated to transforming high school education by bridging the gap between the classroom and the professional world. Through innovative programs and partnerships, CAPS Network empowers students with real-world experiences that prepare them for successful careers.
CAPS structurally empowers high school students — primarily juniors and seniors-- to fast forward into their future with full immersion into the professional culture, solving real world problems, using industry standard tools and are mentored by actual employers. The model integrates high school, college and industry into a single community to provide a set of authentic experiences. Today over 170 school districts participate in the network across 22 states and four countries.
Imagine if every student in America left high school confident of their professional skills, aware of career opportunities, owning their strengths and passions, and able to activate a professional network—it would be a different economy and country.
For more information on CAPS Network please visit: https://yourcapsnetwork.org/rural-kansas-initiative/