Successful educational program coming to Shelbyville High School via federal grant

The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis has been awarded a $2 million federal Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand its successful Indiana Pathways to Careers and Postsecondary (P-CAP) program to 12 additional high schools across Indiana over three years.

P-CAP is an innovative education framework designed for high school students with high potential who are disengaged in school and are at risk of dropping out. The first cohort in the program saw a 28% grade point average increase and a 5% attendance increase from the end of eighth grade to the end of ninth grade. P-CAP programs accelerate student engagement and achievement by preparing them for high-skill, high-wage and in-demand industry sectors in the local economy.

P-CAP was established in 2022 through a $1.4 million Explore, Engage and Experience (3E) grant from the Indiana Department of Education to CELL. Logansport High School, Lincoln High School in Vincennes, Perry Central Junior-Senior High School and Winchester Community High School worked with CELL as founding schools, with the first student cohort beginning during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Shelbyville High School, Manchester Junior-Senior High School, The Academy at Logansport Community School Corporation and Union City Junior-Senior High School will make up the 2024 cohort of new schools implementing the program, with two additional cohorts to be added over the coming two years.

The four founding schools will mentor the new cohort schools as part of the grant, fostering school-to-school learning and collaboration. All eight schools joined together for a P-CAP Academy on Sept. 24, where the mentor schools shared best practices.

“P-CAP is going to offer opportunities to students who have traditionally struggled with motivation,” said Amy Dawson, Principal of Shelbyville High School, in a media release. “The data presented by the mentor schools regarding grades and attendance of hard-to-reach students provides hope and excitement for our staff and students about this opportunity.”

Students in the P-CAP program have the opportunity to complete a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway, earn a stackable workplace credential and earn dual credit for college. The program also brings industry partners into the high school experience through quarterly workplace learning challenges, connecting learning with real-world application. P-CAP students experience integrated core classes with smaller class sizes, deepening relationships with faculty and other students.

As part of the RPED grant, new cohort schools, located in rural regions of the state, will align their P-CAP programs with valuable CTE pathways available to students. The funding will allow schools to designate a P-CAP classroom space with the equipment needed and cover some of the costs related to implementing the program, such as staffing, supplies and professional development.

“Our vision at CELL is that all students experience a meaningful and high-quality education,” said Carey Dahncke, Executive Director at CELL. “P-CAP has helped students who didn’t see themselves graduating from high school not only to experience better educational outcomes but also to gain confidence and real-world skills alongside postsecondary and industry partners. We are thrilled that P-CAP can be expanded and sustained to serve more schools and students.”

Schools interested in learning more about P-CAP can contact Tracy Butler, CELL’s Director of Postsecondary Readiness, at butlert@uindy.edu or visit https://cell.uindy.edu/pcap.

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