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Students in Michigan’s Career
Pathways programs, which integrates technology,
applied learning and career exploration into high
school curricula, have improved grade-point averages,
state test scores, attendance rates, graduation
rates, and enrollment in postsecondary programs.
Further, students felt prepared for their future
beyond high school. In a senior exit survey at
Williamston High School, for example, an overwhelming
majority (88 percent) said they plan to attend
college immediately after high school and have
a specific career plan (71 percent). They felt
the high school provided a challenging curriculum
(78 percent) and that they applied something learned
in school to real-world problems outside of school
(75 percent). Three-fourths of the seniors took
pride in the fact that they had produced a product
that reflected originality, high standards and
the use of advanced technologies. They had confidence
in their abilities to take the steps needed to
achieve their future goals (84 percent). |
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Based on three years of research,
Jobs for the Future (JFF) has identified the key
characteristics of powerful learning environments
that put at-risk high school students on the path
to earn a high school diploma or GED and move
directly into community college courses and career
pathways. JFF’s initiative, From the Margins
to the Mainstream, highlights promising practices
that use technology to create such learning environments.
For example, High Tech High, a public charter
school in San Diego, integrates academic and technical
learning to prepare students for postsecondary
education. Students use the school’s state-of-the-art
technology to produce digital portfolios and resumes
on the school’s Web site — and work
on projects for workplace mentors. |
| • |
TechXplore, an online competition
and mentoring program, helps K–12 students
build the science and technology skills needed
for future workplace success. TechXplore pairs
technology experts from electronics, telecommunications,
and high-tech companies with teams of students
to help young people explore technology. Together
they propose solutions to real-world problems,
address quality-of-life issues using technology
and then participate in an online competition
with other teams from around the world. |
