The Floyd County Schools College & Career Academy has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation, the corporate philanthropy arm of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), today in an announcement at the January meeting of the Floyd County Board of Education.  Don Balfour, AT&T Georgia External Affairs Manager, presented the grant to Frank Pinson, CEO of the College & Career Academy.

The new Georgia Charter School will use the grant funds to purchase career guidance software for the school’s Student Success Center.  “This grant will allow us to target young students “at-risk” of leaving school before earning a diploma,” said Pinson. “The Career Scope software will help students better understand their aptitudes and interest and provide incentive for them to stay in school.”

The Academy, whose mission is to ensure a qualified workforce for the 21st century, is designed to utilize specific information provided by local businesses and industries to drive academic programs and workforce development.  The programs offered at CCA include Robotics and Engineering, Horticulture, Metals, Health Occupations, CISCO, Construction, and Automotive Technology.  The College & Career Academy is the result of a cooperative partnership among Floyd County Schools, local business and industry, the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce and Coosa Valley Technical College.

Dr. Lynn M. Plunkett, Superintendent, Floyd County Schools said, ”The College and Career Academy is a product of a community effort between educators and business leaders to provide 21st century educational and workforce opportunities for our young people.  With the awarding of this grant, we are proud to add AT&T to our team.”

According to a news release from AT&T, the grant is consistent with the signature initiative of the AT&T Foundation: AT&T Aspire.  This program, announced earlier this year, is focused on preparing students for success in the workforce.  AT&T has committed $100 million in philanthropy through 2011 to schools and nonprofit organizations that are focused on high school retention and better preparing students for college and the workforce.

“We are pleased to help support the efforts of the Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy,” said Barbour.  “The success of our young people is critical to the success of our communities, our state and our nation, and the individualized services offered through the Student Success Center are designed to reach at-risk students to ensure success in high school and beyond through skills vital to finding a place in tomorrow’s workforce.”