Newton College and Career Academy has received a $4,500 Ford PAS Next Generation Learning mini-grant.

The grant will pay for 10 to 15 academy teachers and administrators and local business and industry leaders to attend a Metro-Atlanta Ford PAS Next Generation Learning workshop in the fall.

The team will also receive a one day onsite follow-up workshop and $500 worth of Ford PAS resources, according to a release.

Ford PAS offers interdisciplinary, inquiry-based and team-focused learning for high school students.

"This grant will allow our teachers to receive professional development to better prepare our students to be 21st Century learners," said James Woodward, academy principal and director of career, technical and agricultural education for Newton County schools.

"We have created a 21st Century Learner profile which focuses on career and academic pathway skills, 21st Century learner skills, professional skills and personal success skills. The professional development received through this PAS Next Generation grant will help teachers work with the students in these four areas that business leaders in our community determined are most important."

The Ford Next Generation Learning framework creates meaningful learning experiences that enable students to apply academic knowledge to real world learning, according to the release. It advocates that schools create and maintain career - and interest - based programs and the collaborative culture, structures, and practices necessary to transform teaching and learning. It also engages employers, educators, civic and community leaders to collaborate in promoting and sustaining educational programs that prepare the future workforce.