This report examines local school-to-work partnerships in Pennsylvania and summarizes the lessons that can be learned from them. It includes information on how local partnerships work, functions of local school-to-work partnerships, and partnership activities such as establishing educator in the workplace opportunities, making business…

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…

A series of five discussions with more than 50 people involved in the national school-to-work initiative created by the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 (STWOA) resulted in the following conclusions (among others): (1) Problems with the concept include a negative attitude toward the phrase "school-to-work," the complicated nature…

This report of a survey of eight states which implemented the School to Work Opportunities Act (STWOA) provides information on provisions in the state plans, the extent to which special educators participate in planning and implementation efforts, and how the needs of students with disabilities have been addressed. An overview is provided of the…

This bulletin focuses on the requirement of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 that school-to-work initiatives engage representatives of organized labor in the development, implementation, and governance of a school-to-work system. The first section outlines what organized labor brings to the school-to-work initiative. The next section…

A study assessed the characteristics and practices of employers participating in Florida school-to-work (STW) initiatives, the factors influencing their participation, and the quality and value of their partnerships with schools. Data were gathered through a statewide mail survey of a random sample of employers drawn from more than 15,000 Florida…

Data from annual surveys of Tech-Prep consortia that were administered to all local consortia in 1993 and 1994 were analyzed to assess the implementation of key school-to-work features in 1994. Among the study's key findings were the following: Tech-Prep programs of study may help facilitate creation of career major options in school-to-work…

This report is a synthesis of presentations and break-out sessions at a 1997 national conference (held in Cincinnati, Ohio) on sustaining school-to-career systems for urban youth. Nine state-urban partnerships comprised of 68 participants attended the conference. Conference discussion and activities focused on three major themes: (1) building…

This paper describes the national, state, and local contexts in which California (CA) is implementing School-to-Career (STC). Section I presents an historical view of School-to-Work (STW), describing national goals of the STW Opportunities Act 1994 (STWOA), and also discusses CA's STC efforts. Section II provides contextual information about STW…

The activities and services delivered under the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 by the Capital Area Education and Careers Partnership in Austin, Texas, during 1998 and 1999 were evaluated by an independent evaluator, using interviews with 24 persons involved in the project, site visits, and document analysis. The evaluation found that…

This guide, which is one of a series of three guides designed to provide state and local leaders, policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders with information about the work-based learning component of the School to Work Opportunities Act, deals with career exposure. The introduction traces the history of school-to-work initiatives, lists…

As year 4 of a 7-year initiative to implement the School-to-Work (STW) Opportunities Act begins, 37 states have received implementation grants and 105 direct federally-funded and over 900 state-funded local partnerships exist. In 1997, technical assistance is available to any of the remaining 13 states ready for full-scale implementation. Notable…

This guide, which is one of a series of three guides designed to provide state and local leaders, policymakers, practitioners, and other stakeholders with information about the work-based learning component of the School to Work Opportunities Act, deals with occupational education. The introduction traces the history of school-to-work initiatives,…

This employer participation model is designed to help employers of all sizes customize their participation in school-to-work activities. Using it as a foundation, companies can evaluate resources and target them to areas of opportunity. The first section focuses on employers working with students and teachers. A chart describes activities in which…

This conference report outlines the proposed House of Representatives and Senate compromise regarding disputed provisions in the proposed School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. First, Congress' findings regarding the education needs of noncollege-bound students, youth employment, work-based learning, and educational attainment in the United…