Relevant Learning in the High School Curriculum
by: Lori Morrow, School-To Careers Coordinator, Wyoming Department of Employment, Office of Workforce Development
"The training provides resources to educators to help make the link between coursework and career."
The School-to-Careers (STC) Office and the Wyoming Department of Education have been diligently working on a training program that builds relevant learning into a high school’s core academic curriculum. Dr. Theresa Weinrich utilizes a model that was brought to our attention at STC by the Department of Education and uses academic standards as its foundation.
This model, entitled "Comprehensive Standards Integration and Application: The Key to Higher Academic Achievement," taps into resources for academic teachers, showing how they are already integrating the academic standards of other content areas into their classrooms. The training also helps them map these activities so that they meet the academic standards and provide integration and relevancy to their curriculum. The three day training also provides strategies on how to incorporate resources on national and Wyoming labor market information, National Skill Standards, Youth Risk Behaviors Survey (YRBS), Wyoming Comprehensive Assessment System (WyCAS), Wyoming Education Gateway (Wedgate), Standards tracking software, and career portfolios.
The model has received widespread support from school districts, and will be available for implementation by local school districts through STC funds. A Wyoming specific training manual has been developed to assist educators with strategies and cutting-edge, Internet-based resources for higher academic achievement and relevant learning in the curriculum.
An additional implementation grant will be written by Teton County School District #1, with the support of its administrators, to fund a larger, statewide implementation. If successful, this will allow local school system training sessions to develop a district-level, standards-based, career activity framework matrix.
A pilot training session took place in Jackson, on May 29, 30 and 31, 2001. The implementation team from Teton County School District #1, representatives from the Departments of Employment and Education, as well as twelve trainers (hired to implement the model with local school districts) were in attendance. Overall themes from Teton County School District team members included:
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The model builds on what educators already have, rather than developing something new.¨
The model provides clarity of standards integration.¨
Academic standards and industry standards are aligned. The training provides resources to educators to help make the link between coursework and career.¨
Teachers do not usually have time to see what is being taught in content areas outside of their own. This training provides that opportunity.Action plans were developed by team members, and a follow-up visit will occur with Teton County School District #1 in Fall 2001.
For more information on this model, please contact Lori Morrow at the State School-to-Careers Office (307) 777-7654.
What is School-To-Careers?
The Wyoming School-to-Careers Partnership teams schools with the business community to make students more aware of career options, offering job shadowing opportunities, internships or paid work experience. Businesses are investing in the future of students by providing practical work opportunities, working with educators to enhance curriculum that meets the demands of the future and helping educators use examples in the classroom.
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