The Graphic Arts program at the new Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy has earned PrintED accreditation.  PrintED is a national accreditation and certification program administered by the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF®).  Accreditation is based on industry standards for graphic communications courses of study at the secondary and post-secondary levels.

The Graphic Arts program at the College & Career Academy has been certified in five standards.  Those standards include: Introduction to Graphic Communications, Digital File Preparation, Offset Press Operations, Digital File Output, and Binding and Finishing. The requirements to meet accreditation are aligned with industry standards in the print industry. Adhering to these standards will help prepare students to function at a high level in the work environment or prepare them to further their education in Graphic Communications. The standards built into the Graphic Arts programs instructional strategies will begin when the Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy opens in August. As a result of the program’s certification, each student in the program will be eligible to take an on-line certification test to attain individual certification in Graphic Communications, Press Operations and Digital File Preparation.  Students earning certification will be able to begin their career with a competitive advantage.

According to the GAERF web site, there are benefits in program accreditation for students, schools and employers.  For the student, PrintED provides a career pathway to enter the workplace with verifiable credentials, or to pursue further education with college credit already in hand.  To the school, PrintED ensures an instructional program that is current and relevant, consistent with other programs across the nation and aligned wit industry standards.  For the employer, PrintED graduates promise a knowledgeable, trained and skilled workforce.       

Students are encouraged to take the national examination(s) to verify the level of knowledge that they have achieved. Attaining a sufficient score(s) will result in the awarding of a certification in one or more areas of study.  Students earning certification validate the skills attained in training, recognized their level of expertise and demonstrates a commitment to the profession and professional development.  These will provide the student with an edge when competing for employment or pursuing further education. Students who achieve an exceptional score on the examination will be awarded certification with distinction.

Many post-secondary schools have developed agreements to grant college credit to students who successfully complete the required PrintED competency/performance levels.

Ms Hillari Knight is the instructor of the Graphic Arts Program at Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy.  Ms. Knight and her students have worked for more than a year on the process of accreditation.