The Dougherty County School System announced today that it is one of four districts across the state to benefit from a new education equity initiative, funded by Georgia Power, designed to support impactful local programs in communities of color and facilitate holistic generational change. The program, which also includes Clayton County Schools, Richmond County Schools and Savannah-Chatham Schools, represents a $3 million investment that will address specific needs and opportunities identified by local school districts focused on improving career readiness and multigenerational economic stability.   

The DCSS will use the funding to develop a career-focused high school graduation option for students that includes expanding Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathways with paid internships, career guidance, technical training, and opportunities to earn industry certifications.  The district also will strengthen partnerships with business and community organizations to increase the talent pipeline for specific, technical career fields by reskilling and upskilling underemployed and unemployed adults. In addition to the career-focused initiatives, the district will provide schools with resources for STEM enrichment and education. 

Superintendent Kenneth Dyer said that the partnership allows for a new take on long-established district priorities.

“Two pillars of the DCSS strategic plan are providing rigorous and relevant educational experiences for our students, and prioritizing meaningful engagement with the families of DCSS students," Dyer said.  "Our partnership with Georgia Power will allow us to not only help equip our students with the technical skills to position them to be successful beyond high school but, through partnerships with Albany Tech and other community partners, support the upskilling and reskilling of their adult family members to provide a jump start for their careers where the need exists. This is a tremendous opportunity to enhance the talent pipeline that will ultimately lead to opportunities for our students and their families and increase economic development for our community.

I’m deeply appreciative of Georgia Power and its commitment to the continued success and vitality of Albany and Southwest Georgia," he added.

For Georgia Power officials, the partnership is an innovative way to bolster economic development through supporting education.

“Whether it’s providing grants for first year teachers or working with local educators on innovative initiatives such as the 4C Academy, we’re proud of the longstanding partnership we have with Albany area schools,” said Audrey King, Vice President, South Region, Georgia Power. “Dougherty County Schools is a leader in the area of CTAE and, as this part of Georgia continues to grow, we believe that investments in impactful local education programs will continue to generate opportunity for real, inclusive economic growth for Albany students and families.”   

School districts participating in the new initiative were selected by Georgia Power based on interviews with key influencers in the education space and on research on family poverty rates, unemployment, access to early learning, Kindergarten readiness, postsecondary preparedness and postsecondary attainment. Enhancing education equity – spanning multiple areas such as early childhood, K-12, higher education and promoting equitable education policy – is one of Georgia Power’s social justice pillars, with the company committed to improving and strengthening education in underserved communities to help students of all ages build brighter futures. 

Georgia Power’s longstanding commitment to improving education and supporting the state’s educators include workforce development programs, power plant tours, partnerships with various education nonprofits, and the company’s marquee Learning Power program. Learn more at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Education.