December 14, 2023: Evans County Charter School System (ECCSS) is pleased to announce that the Evans Region College and Career Academy (ERCCA) has met the Georgia College and Career Academy (GCCA) Certification Standards and will be recommended for GCCA Certification Renewal. This distinction grants the ERCCA certification for five years and designates the ERCCA as a site that is committed to collaborative partnerships between the school, students, families, workforce, industry, and other community stakeholders.
During GCCA reviews, College and Career Academies (CCA) are assessed for their capabilities in five categories: Governance and Leadership, Strategic Planning and Sustainability, Teaching and Assessing for Learning, Economic and Workforce Development, and Performance Contract. The GCCA External Review Team may provide the CCA with commendations (practices in place that make a positive difference), required actions (required assurances that must be met in order to meet GCCA certification specifications), and suggestions (practices or actions the CCA may take for continuous improvement). The external review team recommended the ERCCA for certification renewal, listed six commendations, four suggestions, and no required actions.
The Certification and Accountability Coordinator for the Technical College System of Georgia, Mrs. Loretta McQueen, praised the ERCCA students and staff for their hard work. In the preliminary report of findings from the External Review Team, the ERCCA was commended in the areas of Teaching and Assessing for Learning, Economic and Workforce Development, Governance and Leadership, and Performance Contract. ERCCA students were specifically praised for their leadership and professionalism. ERCCA staff received commendations for showcasing student work, embracing diversity, providing exposure and opportunities to students, and their enthusiasm for and commitment to student success. Ms. Holly Durrence, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the ERCCA, was praised for “leadership skills, support, and being a forward thinker,” and the External Review Team also commended the ERCCA for “maintaining strong partnerships with businesses, industry, and community to include provision of resources and work based learning opportunities for students.” In the report, the ERCCA was also commended for “utilizing flexibility for staffing, seat time, scheduling, transportation, and administering aptitude/interest assessments to guide pathway selection and meet the needs of students.”
Superintendent of ECCSS, Dr. Marty Waters, said, “It always good to have your hard work validated. This external review and subsequent certification is a testament to the incredible collective efforts of our CCA and its partners. By continuing this collective work, we will provide amazing opportunities for our students while improving our community.”
The GCCA External Review Team made suggestions for the ERCCA to increase cross-curriculum opportunities and to provide additional training on “pathways, Accelerated Career Diploma, and vertical articulation.” The team suggested updates be made on the ERCCA page of the district website. Also, the team suggested that the ERCCA continuously update students and parents about pathway options and “regional opportunities.” The team suggested the ERCCA continue partnerships with those involved in “regional economic development.”
Ms. Holly Durrence, CEO of the ERCCA, said, “Our CCA is young, but so much has been accomplished in our short time of existence! I am grateful to all of our stakeholders for their investment in this initiative to help students be college, career, and community ready. I look forward to the work ahead of us!”