Evaluations of the effectiveness of government programs may serve both to improve program implementation and to convey to policymakers information on the effectiveness of these programs. However, the evidence generated from programs and their providers--perhaps especially when these programs are decentralized and implemented and run locally--may…

The 1994 federal School-to-Work Opportunities Act (STWOA) provided more than $1.5 billion over 5 years to support increased career preparation activities in the country's public schools. A new longitudinal data source with rich information on school-to-career (STC) programs--the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97)--provides…

In this interview, the director of the Federal National School-to-Work Office explains the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. This comprehensive, systemwide investment covers all age groups and is designed to help communities examine their workforce preparation programs, identify gaps, and devise plans for a system that serves all students. (MLH)

Summarizes features of the 1994 School-to-Work Opportunities Act, describes what states and localities are doing to include youth with disabilities in school-to-work initiatives, and offers recommendations to special educators, rehabilitation professionals, students with disabilities, and parents for increasing the participation of youth with…

Discusses the core components of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 and the key elements of successful school-to-work partnerships for students with deafness. Elements include supportive and committed leadership, committed staff, support from local and state governments, help from facilitators, and financial support from diverse sources.…

Traces changes in policy and legislation that have led to the provision of transition services for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Describes provisions in the 1992 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. (CR)

The School-to-Work Opportunities Act (1994) was designed to provide grants to states and local school districts aiming to help all students explore careers and create work-based-learning opportunities linked to academic course work. This article underlines the need for parent support and describes several districts' implementation efforts. (MLH)

The School-to-Work Opportunities Act, which was designed to improve student learning, in-school retention, and transition to the workplace, requires the restructuring of secondary education and the extensive involvement of business in preparing youth for the workplace. School-to-work initiatives reflect the conditions of the settings and contexts…

The final version of the School to Work Opportunities Act was passed only after an extended battle over how to protect individuals' private right of action to enforce the act. Although it still contains nonentitlement language, the final act also includes new language clarifying Congress' intent that the provision not preclude enforcement of the…

These six fact sheets are designed to communicate strategies for serving all youth, especially youth with disabilities, in school to work programs: (1) "Overview of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act" briefly describes this 1994 federal law and the three components of school-to-work programs: school-based learning, work-based learning,…

Reforms funded by the School-to-Work Opportunities Act (STWOA) were enacted to help USA students learn career-related skills and prepare for entry into careers or post-secondary education. Information about the effectiveness of these reforms is critical to address students' career preparation needs and inform future policy. Yet few quantitative…

California has numerous niche programs stressing both academic rigor and career connections. These occur most successfully where business and elected officials support K-12 partnerships and provide job-shadowing opportunities, internships, and classroom instruction offered by business partners. A sidebar outlines school-to-work principles. (MLH)

This case study examines the relationships of three organizations participating in the Northwest Wisconsin School-To-Work Consortium, and analyzes the consortium's development over the past 4 years. Signed into law in May 1994, the federal School-To-Work Opportunities Act marked the beginning of a new educational movement to better prepare…

This bulletin discusses transition programs for youth with disabilities. It outlines features of effective transition programs that have proved to be successful including longitudinal planning, emphasis on careers (not labels), work-based learning, connection to community resources, and sustained involvement of employers. A set of strategies is…

These two newsletter issues of the National Transition Alliance (NTA) for Youth with Disabilities present articles concerning the transition of youth with disabilities from school-to-work (STW) and related informational items. The first issue contains the following articles: "Contextual Learning" (analysis of one of the five categories…