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The Massachusetts ^.Kprk School ' lnitioti#"=^ UMASS/AMHERST q II Bring classroom learning to life Educator Action A Make education Steps relevant to student's lives School to Work: Meeting the Challenge of Education Reform The Massachusetts School to Work initiative offers vast opportunitiesfor effective school improvement. Teachers, counselors and administrators arepursuing School to Work activities to helpfulfill the goals ofthe Education Reform Act of1993. Today, educators and employers are joining efforts at unprecedented levels, as Massachusetts creates the schools ofthefuture. Thispublication explores the many options open to educatorsforparticipating in School to Work. "School to Work is a tool we must use as we restructure our schools to help young people be prepared for the challenges of the 21st century." Dr. James L. Garvey Superintendent ofSchools Worcester Education Presents a Tool for Success Education Presents a Tool for Success Nearly all students will work one day — some right after high school, others after one, two, four or more years offurther education or training. The high school diploma is a means for future success, not an end in itself. Times have changed To face these times, we must re-examine some ofthe traditional values aboutedu- - cation, values such as • Learning takes place only in a classroom • School occurs during certain hours ofthe day, certain days ofthe week, and certain weeks in the year • Students have to choose between going to college or going directly to work after graduation • A four-year college degree guarantees success in the workplace School to Work connects the classroom to the community by using the entire community as a learning lab. School to Work motivates all types oflearners to gain the academic, social and workplace skills needed for their futures. NOTE: The names "School to Work"and "School to Career"mean the same thing. People use many differentnames to describe the currentmovementofpre- paring studentsfora successfulfuture. Massachusetts page TScohoWoolrk 1 System School to Work, School to Career School to Work, School to Career A vehicle for achieving Education Reform The Education Reform Act has raised major practical questions. School to Work offers concrete answers — it is a vehicle to help schools achieve many ofthe goals ofEducation Reform. Professional Development School to Work should become part ofthe professional development offerings of all school districts and colleges. • Teachers can receive work-based training and experience as part oftheir professional development, certification and recertification plan • Teachers can intern,job shadow, take summer industry positions to increase their knowledge ofthe labor market • Curriculum development can be expanded to focus on applied learning or learning in context • Integrate career development with all core subjects Time and Learning Requirements • Apply students' work-based experience toward Time and Learning requirements • Education Reform allows greater flexibility in the school day and school year to accommodate School to Work activities Education Reform andSchool to Work both emphasize appliedlearning, interdisciplinary teaching, school restructuring, occupationalprofi- ciency andhigheracademic standards. Massachusetts page 2 School ToWork System School to Work Goals Work School to Goals • Makes education relevant to students • Creates opportunities for students to apply academic principles while learning skills needed at the workplace • Provides school-to-work opportunities forpostsecondary education students • Opens the door for entire community to participate in education • Sets high expectations for students in the classroom, the workplace and the community • Prepares all students to make informed choices among a full range ofpost- secondary options • Offers additional community resources and support foreducation "There are very simple things demanded in the workplace that cannot be taught in the classroom setting. School to Work will fill the gap that has always been missing in the education experience." Sofia Rasher English Teacher Brockton High School "I want to learn something that I can use in my life, not just facts so I can pass some test." Katie Scott Newton North High School Massachusetts School page3 ToWork System WhatCan You Do? What Can You Do? School to Work offers a host ofactivities, each creating a positive impact on the student, teacher and employer. Educators can select the most appropriate activities. Your School to Work Local Partnership can help you develop and integrate activities. Local Partnership members include schools, employers, parents and community leaders. Learn about industry • Tour area businesses alone, with a class, or with other teachers • Intern at a local company to earn Professional Development credits • Take a summerjob in an industry relevant to your teaching subject • Invite appropriate community and business professionals to teach a class • Let your students know how much you value school-to-work activities • Learn what students need to know to succeed in the workplace Increase Student Learning • Demonstrate the practical context ofall class activities • Design project-based applied-learning curriculum • Understand how today's knowledge and skill-needs for career success differ from yesterday's needs • Provide meaningful, relevant course work with clearlinks to outside world • Provide students with opportunities to meet with role models or mentors • Encourage students to explore new interests/careers To drive change • Make career development a priority • Learn about your School to Work Local Partnership and its activities • Invite yourLocal Partnership coordinatorto make a presentation to school staffduring an in-service day • Invite business people to guest lecture in the classroom and organize field visits. • Use industry contacts to broaden student learning opportunities Massachusetts page4 School ToWork System WhatCan Schools Do? What Can Schools Do? • Provide professional development opportunities that create activities with career focus • Open the classroom doors to the community — parents, business, labor and community organizations • Provide a more flexible view ofthe school day and year • Develop a school-to-work system accessible to all students • Encourage teacher and student externships, internships and apprenticeships • Build on current community partnerships with your school • Meet with employers to learn about what students need to know to work in their business at a variety oflevels. • Offer comprehensive guidance that combines career guidance and postsecondary advising • Encourage projects and curriculum that use local community examples to contextualize learning • Build on successful models already in place My If daughter's level of MSacshsoaoclhusetts page5 ToWork System Industry and SchoolsSpurred Education Reform Industry and Schools Spurred Education Reform Momentum Sustain the The strength ofan economy rehes on the abihty ofits workforce — schools are the shapers oftomorrow's workforce. The U.S. is the only industrialized nation lacking a system to help youth make a smooth transition from school to work. Preparing youth to enter the workforce is more importantthan reducing taxes, said 82% of 1,000 people who were ran- domly surveyed nationwide. Massachusetts employers ranked the education system as a top item that affected theirbusiness, along with taxes and general business costs according to a recent survey by the Associated Industries ofMassachusetts. Each year industry spends billions ofdollars to provide remedial training. While three-fourths ofour students neverearn abachelor degree, the current shortage ofskilled workers in this country is partly due to a dramatic change in America's workforce requirements. School to Work seeks to equip the student with the tools needed to succeed in a high-skilled rapidly changing environment. U.S Job Requirements 70 U.S.BureauofLaborStatistics 60 50 40 30 professional unskilled 20 10 1950 1991 2000 page6 MSacshsoaoclhusetts ToWork System CareerSuccessToday Demands Higher Education Career Success Today Demands Higher Education Goals ofa school-to-work system include: • Increase the number ofhigh school and college graduates • Design pathways for high school students that seamlessly lead into postsecondary majors • Provide opportunities to access postsecondary education through alternative programs such as: • DualEnrollment- allows students to enroll in postsecondary courses forcredit while they are still at the secondary level • 2 + 2 + 2 ProgramModel - students commit to a long-range career training plan A link between secondary and higher education is critical because: • Thejob outlook for the next decade forecasts a dramatic increase in the number ofjobs that will require a postsecondary education • An increase in years ofhigher education provides betterprospects for economic stability in the workforce Postsecondary institutions, like community colleges, have worked with high schools to design a continuous sequence ofcourses that lead to degrees/certifi- cates recognized by industries. In 1995, more than 500 companies entered into training partnerships with one or more ofMassachusetts 16 community colleges. Under Tech Prep, local planning teams ofeducators from the high school and community colleges work together to develop sequential pathways for students from secondary to postsecondary education. Often students are unaware ofthe education needed to succeed in today's careers. Worksite experience — observing firsthand the careerpaths ofa college diploma - - inspires the pursuit ofhighereducation. When learning is connected and integrated with the workplace, the value ofand student interestin postsecondary education grows immeasurably. School to Work increases students' ability to plan ahead — to make sure postsecondary tuition dollars are well spent. MSacshsoaoclhusetts page 7 ToWork System Key Elements ofSchool to Work Key Elements of School to Work Include All Students Kindergartners to postsecondary students, students with disabilities, gifted students, special education students, students at risk ofdropping out, out-of-school youth, college-bound, adult learners, those bound for work, the military ortrade school will benefit from School to Work systems. School-based Learning The classroom, curriculum and teaching strategies should reflect actual workplace realities. Students will learn about different industries, occupations, and the working world around them at an early age. A school to work system provides: careerexploration and counseling; a program ofstudy that meets high academic standards; project-based learning activities based on examples found in the workplace; opportunities for students to select broad career pathways that lead to fur- ther education; and career focus preparation for college-bound students. Work-based Learning Students generally learn well ifthey think the lesson is relevant to their lives. Classes become more effective when students connect and apply classroom knowledge to workplace tasks. Work-based learning means structured training and mentoring atjob sites. It means learning and practicing basic workplace be- haviors, getting to know all aspects ofa particularindustry, achieving a set ofjob skills mastered at progressively higher levels and linking those to a chosen career field. Connecting Activities Connecting activities build and maintain bridges between school and work. They match students and employers and establish liaisons that connect schools, employers, parents and students. Connecting activities include training teachers, mentors and counselors to assist students and provide guidance as students make decisions about their education and careers. The Education ReformActof1993 challenges educators to address the changes in our worldandequip students with toolsforsuccess. page 8 MScahsosoalchusetts ToWork System