Book Description

This document, which is addressed to employers and others wishing to foster school-to-career programs, reflects the views of the Committee for Economic Development regarding employers' role in linking school and work. The following topics are among those discussed in chapters 1-3: youth and careers (present versus past labor markets, causes of trouble finding jobs, changing skill requirements, challenges for schools and society, costs of the skills gap); learning for the new economy (importance of raising academic achievement; school-to-career as a strategy for motivation and instruction; evidence regarding the effectiveness of programs linking school and work; importance of moving to scale); and employer roles in improving learning (promoting academic achievement through high standards and supportive company practices; advocating school-to-career reforms; providing work experience for students and teachers; facilitating employer participation through intermediaries). Chapter 4 discusses actions that schools and the government can take and makes the following recommendations to employers: support high academic achievement through policy and company practice; join and support intermediary organizations that link employers and schools; and participate in programs that use work experience to promote academic learning and career exploration. Appended are the addresses of 20 school-to-career resource organizations and contains 127 endnotes. (MN)