In a time when most schools target their curriculum to college-bound students, many feel that those not on their way to a four-year institution are left unprepared for the real world.

The Cape Girardeau school system realized the problem, and applied for a grant that would cater to the needs of all students and put them on a structured career path.

In early June, the school system learned it was one of only 35 schools in the state to receive an A-Plus grant. The school received all it applied for, $203,828, renewable for two more years.

The A-plus grant, made possible through Missouri Senate Bill 380, has three goals for all students: that all students graduate from high school, that all complete a selection of high school courses that are challenging and beneficial, and that after graduating they go to college, a post-secondary vocational or technical school or get a high-wage job with good workplace opportunity.

"This is really a complete change for us," said James Englehart, director of secondary education. "What we're looking at here is a complete overhaul in our curriculum."

The actual program will begin in the 1995-96 school year. Each student will choose from one of six career areas on which the student will base his or her entire high school course plan. The six areas include health related professions, social services, arts and communication, business and management, and industry and engineering.

"This is trying to do away with a general curriculum," Englehart said. "Because we point these students in the right direction, it is very similar to what we do now for college-bound students," Englehart said. "This program will actually force students to make a decision about their future."

The career paths include a wide variety of occupations. For instance, under industry and engineering, a student could eventually choose to be anything from an auto mechanic to a chemical engineer.

"Each path has both college-bound and non-college-bound alternatives," Englehart said. "In no way are we discouraging the college-bound path; we're just going about it a little differently."

If students complete their specific career path beginning in the ninth grade, achieve at least a 2.5 grade-point average and maintain a 95 percent attendance rate, the state will provide full tuition to a junior or four-year college in Missouri. This fall's ninth-grade students might be eligible, but the program will officially start with this fall's eighth grade.

"This is just really tremendous for us," Englehart said. "The whole grant means a great opportunity for the student. That's the most important benefit."

Englehart said the immediate benefit of the grant will be the new technology the school will receive. A computer lab with 15 IBM-compatible computers and an applied technology lab with 20 new work stations are planned for next year.

The school intends to hire a coordinator for the A-plus program who will rewrite the school's course objectives to meet the requirements of the career paths. New classes will also be implemented, such as "ABC Science," a two-year program that combines biology and chemistry with practical applications.

Englehart said, "This is a chance to look at our total curriculum in a very comprehensive way that will benefit all students."