Education to Careers

1. Education to Careers

2. Education-to-Careers in Illinois • Also known as school to work • Commitment to improve quality and relevance of education for every student • Raise quality and reliability of tomorrow’s workforce • Driven by world-class academic standards connected to real-world marketplace needs

3. Philosophy for Education • What is learned in school should prepare students for future careers • Students should see the connection between what is learned in school and the real world • Everyone in the community must be a part

4. Philosophy for Education • Every student must master new skills and technology and work both independently and collaboratively • Every student can learn but not in the same way • High expectations yield better results

5. Philosophy for Education • Education must change to keep pace with our rapidly changing world • Learning takes place at many sites—including but not limited to a classroom

6. Illinois’ Future • Illinois’ economy will require more than 7 million workers by 2008 • Professional and technical occupations, which require more than a high school education, will add the most new jobs – nearly 280,000

7. Prepare for College or Careers? • U.S. colleges graduate 1.2 million students each year • Economy generates only 600,000 jobs for college graduates

8. Improved Educational System • Access to career opportunities and work-based learning experiences for all students • Blend with world-class academic standards • Produce citizens prepared for rewarding lives and satisfying careers

9. Education to Careers • Prepares students for lifelong learning by providing career exploration activities at all grade levels • Recognizes applied learning improves educational outcomes and better prepares students

10. Education to Careers • Common-sense approach to preparing learners to succeed • Creates schools that are relevant to changing economy • Supports meaningful career preparation

11. Education to Careers • Creates meaningful business and education partnerships • Local community members work together to help local students succeed • Brings together people from diverse personal and professional backgrounds to connect worlds of work and school

12. Emphasis Areas • Rigorous and relevant learning standards • Career awareness, exploration, and development • Relevant work experiences for students and educators

13. Emphasis Areas • Strategies that integrate academic and applied instruction • Real-world application and hands-on learning • Diverse learning styles

14. Guiding Principles • Education is not limited to traditional school buildings or classrooms • Every student should be provided information, opportunities, and support to make informed choices and set realistic goals for their future

15. Guiding Principles • Opportunities must be accessible to every learner and broaden (not limit) options • Education should be relevant and useful for lifelong learning and multiple careers • Rigorous academics for college and careers are essential for every student

16. Changes for Students • Learn to work as a team • Gain hands-on, experiential experiences • Learn because they will use it in life • Whole community is a classroom • They know why they are in school

17. Changes for Students • Are being prepared for life, not college • Participate in internships related to career of interest • Explore all education and career options

18. Benefits • Students – education and skills to succeed in school, work, and life • Teachers – new knowledge and tools to engage and excite students • Employers – better qualified employees ready to meet demands of workplace