Please see below for some important updates to the Academy Assessment for the 2020-2021 school year, guidelines for alternate internships, and a reminder about the cash award for the class of 2020:
ALTERNATE INTERNSHIP GUIDELINES
To increase NAFTrack Certification opportunities for students during this challenging time, NAF will offer flexible options for students in the graduating classes of 2021 and 2022 to complete the NAFTrack internship requirements between April 2020 and August 2021. During this time period, it remains important for students to participate in experiences that can boost their resumes and build college and career ready skills. As such, students will receive credit for the internship component of NAFTrack Certification if the experience meets one of the following minimum requirements.
OPTIONS

Internship Options:

  • 1-to-1 in-person Internship

  • Group-Based in-person Internship

  • Virtual Internship (1-to-1 or group-based)

  • Clinical Experience

If an internship is not possible, NAF has approved the following options to temporarily meet the NAFTrack internship requirement.

Alternative Experience Options: Skill Building Activities and Projects (temporary alternative)

  • Service-learning experience

  • Volunteerism experience in a non-profit

  • CTSO or Business Focused Project with business partner(s) assisting as project mentor/supervisor

REQUIREMENTS

All experiences must meet the following requirements:

  • 80+ hours (or two 40-hour experiences)

  • Paid, compensated, or volunteer

  • Direct supervision by an accountable adult who is not the student’s teacher

  • Completion of the NAFTrack Internship Assessment by the student’s mentor/supervisor (not teacher, parent, or guardian) at the end of the internship

Questions? Contact the NAFTrack Certification Support Desk at [email protected] .
ACADEMY ASSESSMENT UPDATES
As part of the continuous improvement cycle, we have made updates to the Academy Assessment process. Please feel free to reach out to your portfolio manager with any questions and/or concerns.

  • All academies that earned a level of Member or higher in 2019-20 may opt to Roll Forward and maintain their 2019-20 academy quality level for 2020-21 if they meet the following criteria:
  • Member and Certified academies must complete the Data Center by November 6, 2020 ​to roll forward.

  • Model and Distinguished academies must complete the Data Center by November 6, 2020, and meet all thresholds except enrollment. A temporary threshold exception applies to incoming grade-level enrollment only for 2020-21 academies rolling forward.

  • Completion of the Academy Assessment (AA) is optional for academies that earned Member level or higher in 2019-20 if the Data Center is completed by November 6, 2020.

  • Completion of the AA is optional for 2020-21 Launch Year academies.

  • 2019-20 Launch Year academies that did not earn a Member level or higher must complete the 2020-21 AA but may either accept or decline quality level posting.

  • The deadline for academies to complete the AA and receive a provisional score is December 4, 2020.

  • To advance from Certified to Model or Model to Distinguished for 2020-21, academies must meet the designated AA score and threshold requirements, including enrollment.
CASH AWARD FOR CLASS OF 2020
A new cash award opportunity is now available for graduating NAF academy seniors. 18 cash awards of $1,000 each will be awarded to NAF academy seniors across the country. There are 3 awards available for each NAF academy theme (finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, health sciences, and other). The deadline to nominate a senior is Wednesday, May 27, 2020 .
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