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Building Bridges from Education to Employment

Real-World Examples

Various organizations are actively working to strengthen the connection between K–12 education and the workforce, employing diverse strategies to engage students in meaningful ways.

In 1995, two veteran educators established Big Picture Learning, envisioning a high school experience centered around mentoring and real-world involvement. The program emphasizes student interests as the foundation of both curriculum and assessment. What began as a single school initiative in Rhode Island has now grown to over 110 school partnerships nationwide. Through these partnerships, students can engage in substantial real-world learning experiences—up to twice a week—working alongside professionals in their fields of interest.

Dayvon, a student from a Big Picture Learning school in Nashville, shared how the program supports a range of aspirations. “I have friends who want to be veterinarians, OB-GYNs, orthodontists, and the fact that they actually get to work in an orthodontic office or visit a vet clinic is incredibly engaging,” he explained.

Another student, Izzy from San Diego, expressed how her Big Picture Learning experience is helping her explore her identity and future options, even though she currently feels uncertain about her career path. “The school offers so many opportunities for me to explore,” she noted. “It helps me realize what I might not want to do, or what feels too daunting. Many students feel this way—we’re still figuring things out, and we get to try different things.”

Similarly, the Cajon Valley Union School District introduced the “World of Work” program in 2017. This K–12 initiative gives every student access to explore over 50 career paths, enabling them to uncover their passions and purposes. The program begins with broad research on various careers, including assessments of students’ interests and skills, followed by classroom simulations related to those fields. Students also have the chance to meet professionals from those industries, gaining insight into everyday tasks and networking opportunities. The program has successfully expanded beyond its initial district, with adoption by four other districts in the Pittsburgh area.

The Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) network also highlights an effective model for connecting education with professional experiences. Starting with a small group of students in Kansas City, CAPS has now expanded to over 170 school districts across 23 states. It facilitates partnerships between local businesses and schools, promoting “profession-based learning.” Through this framework, students can delve into various career fields via academic coursework paired with immersive learning at partner companies. This hybrid model enables students to follow academic tracks while linking their education to future career opportunities in fields like healthcare, engineering, business, biosciences, creative media, and technology.

Such partnerships are crucial for addressing a significant challenge faced by the Computer Science for All initiative. Rather than solely depending on certified educators, these programs engage actual employers who provide mentorship, knowledge, and hands-on experiences beneficial for students.

While the advantages of these collaborations for schools and students are evident, sustaining these partnerships in the long run requires demonstrating their value to the employers involved. Employers seek clear returns from their investment, which might include greater capacity to meet business objectives, heightened community engagement, or enhanced workforce preparedness, ensuring that students are ready to fill essential roles within the local economy.

Source
www.educationnext.org