Building the School-to-work System

Résumé du livre

The federal legislation that created school-to-work (STW) was to meet the educational, economic, occupational, and skill-training needs of the future work force and the needs of employers competing in a global economy. Three key concepts characterize the STW initiative: school-based learning, work-based learning, and connections between school and work. School-based learning includes the following: collaboration of teachers with employers, community speakers in the classroom, career awareness programs, applied academic curriculum, block scheduling, and a continuum from school to work or higher education. Components of work-based learning are as follows: job shadowing, workplace tours, work experience, teacher internship, on-the-job training, and workplace mentoring. Connecting activities include the following: school and business liaisons working together, identification and training of worksite mentors, community service by students, job shadowing for teachers, and articulation agreements between secondary and postsecondary education. STW offers many benefits for students and businesses. Many schools and businesses have formed long-lasting and beneficial partnerships that can be used as models for other schools seeking to begin STW. (Contains 18 references.) (KC)