Three central Minnesota school districts, the Chamber of Commerce, business representatives, and public service organizations decided to help teachers translate workplace expectations into school lessons. The result was the "Relevance Counts Institute," which shows teachers specific occupational skills one day and employee applications…

While visiting school-to-work sites, the author observed numerous programs that teach students the "new basics" or "basics-plus" skills needed for success in today's economy. These skills include an ability to use technology, communicate ideas and information orally and in writing, work in groups, solve knotty problems,…

A seafaring school-to-work program in Kealakekua, Hawaii, encourages community members to help high school students rediscover ancestral roots and prepare for the future. On both ocean and land, students learn an integrated core curriculum of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Community professionals and business leaders…