Learning to Work
Learning to Work

Author:

Publisher: U.S. Government Printing Office

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 120

ISBN-13:

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The Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources and the House Committee on Education and Labor (now the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities) asked the Office of Technology Assessment to examine the potential opportunities and possible pitfalls of work-based learning that would be supported by the School to Work Opportunities Act (STWOA). Three main questions are addressed: (1) What are the alternative models of work-based learning and how effective are they? (2) What new learning technologies could support work-based learning? and (3) How can employers be persuaded to provide work-based learning experiences for students? This report assesses the potential of work-based learning as a component of the school-to-work transition systems that are currently being developed in many states and local school districts. Chapter 1 reports the findings about work-based learning and the STWOA. Chapter 2 discusses the history of work-based learning in the United States as well as problems with school-to-work transitions and provides an overview of STWOA. Chapter 3 describes and analyzes the apparent advantages and disadvantages of five learning processes that can be used in work settings: experiential learning, work-group learning, mentoring, workplace instruction, and technology-assisted learning. Chapter 4 discusses various ways that work-based learning can be structured with respect to the following: the types of students who are served; the program objectives; the coordination with schooling; the timing, intensity, duration, and progression of work-based experiences; the settings of work-based learning; and the issue of payment for students. Chapter 5 describes various models of school-to-work transition programs with work-based learning and summarizes the evidence on their effectiveness. These models are youth apprenticeships, clinical training, cooperative education, school-to-apprenticeship programs, school-based enterprises, and career academies. Chapter 6 considers the factors that influence whether or not employers will participate in work-based learning programs. (YLB)

Learning to work : making the transition from school to work.
Learning to work : making the transition from school to work.

Author:

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 115

ISBN-13: 1428920315

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Over the past decade, public attention has been drawn to the difficulties that many young adults are having in finding their way in the changing economy and earning a decent living. A broad movement is emerging across the country to better connect school with career opportunities and further education to help these young adults succeed. In 1994 Congress responded by passing the School to Work Opportunities Act (STWOA), which assists states and localities in establishing comprehensive school to work transition systems. Soon after the school to work legislation was passed by Congress, OTA was asked by the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources and the House Committee on Education and Labor to assess the potential and problems of work based learning as a component of school to work. As the report shows, work based learning has considerable promise but will be difficult to implement. Work based learning can potentially help students see the relevance of their academic studies later in life, allow students to explore career options, and help them develop needed occupational skills. But the implementation of good work based learning programs will require considerable effort on the part of schools and participating businesses. Whether many businesses can be recruited to participate remains to be seen.