Strengthening work based learning and college readiness programs - the career academies project, mary visher-shelley rappaport

Strengthening Work-Based Learning and College Readiness Programs:

The Career Academies Project: Linking Education and Careers

Mary Visher, MDRCMike Sack, Bloom AssociatesShelley Rappaport, MDRC

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education

THE CAREER ACADEMIES PROJECT

Develop a program to build the capacity of academies to offer

quality work-based learning and college readiness

experiences to all students.

The Goal:


1. Develop a program of curricula, activities, guides and materials

2. Test the program in four academies

3. Improve, revise and evaluate

4. Make the program available to all schools

The Work:


• Increase awareness of career and college options.

• Make connections between school and careers.

• Understand and practice “transferable skills”.

• Graduate from high school with skills needed to succeed in college and career.

Student Learning Outcomes:


• Culinary Arts Academy – Tampa, FL • Digital Safari Academy – Concord, CA• Academy of Arts & Technology – Los

Angeles, CA• Academy of Hospitality, Tourism, and

Marketing – Atlanta, GA

The Academies:


10 to 15 lessons (“workshops”), each grade, taught by CTE teachers:• Career Development topics• Career Exploration topics• College Readiness topics

The Program:


• All 10th and 11th graders attend half-day group visits to local worksites.

• Visits are carefully structured with clear learning objectives.• Students and employers are well prepared before visit.

The Program:Career Exploration Visits


Career Exploration Visits Sample Workshops• CEVs – What, Where, Why? • Planning a Resume

• Skills for Success • Writing a Resume

• The Endless Job List • The Winning Interview

•Making a Professional First Impression

•What does the CEV Mean to Me?

• The Big Picture • Choosing a Career


• All 10th and 11th graders visit college campuses.

• Local 2-year and 4-year colleges.• Parental involvement.• Counseling and mentoring supports.

The Program: College Visits


College Visits Sample Workshops

• College: Myths & Facts • Entrance Exams

• Researching a College and Planning a Visit

• Choosing the Right College

• Reflections on the Visit • Applying to College

• Planning for College • Financial Aid Speaker

• Intro to College Board Resources

• Finishing Strong: Making a Smooth Transition


• All 12th grade students offered internships• Compensated (pay, credit, stipends)• Project-based• Concurrent, weekly classroom seminar

The Program: Internships & Seminar


Internships & Seminars Sample Seminars• First Week on the Job • Customer Service

• The Big Picture • Job Satisfaction

• A Matter of Time • Leadership

•Managing Stress •Moving Forward

• Diversity


• Continue Pilot – refine program• Evaluate student and school-level outcomes• Evaluate feasibility • Scale-up

Next Steps:


• Mary [email protected]

• Sue [email protected]

• Mike [email protected]

For more information, contact:

Documents

Strengthening work based learning and college readiness programs - the career academies project, mary visher-shelley rappaport