ABSTRACT:
This is the second year in the long range plan to develop a regional School-to-Work system for All K-16 students in Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties. A skeletal framework developed by the Tech Prep program identified key stakeholders from school districts; Skagit Valley College; and business, industry, and labor. This communication system has accomplished activities in the development of school-based learning, work-based learning, and connecting activities. Some examples are: articulation agreements, development of integrated academic and technical competencies in career pathways, development of the WorkSource Shared Information Network, development of a comprehensive career center at each site. Two new school districts have joined the consortium for the 1996-97 school year. Activities for the 1996-97 school year include a focus on: conducting a comprehensive needs assessment, K-8 curriculum development aligning Washington State Goal 4, regional staff development, continued implementation of career portfolios, and enhancement of career centers.
1. LONG-RANGE PLAN
Skagit-Islands School-to-Work Program (SISTWP) has evolved from a Tech Prep Consortium formed in 1992 with five school districts (Anacortes, Burlington-Edison, Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor, Sedro-Woolley) and Skagit Valley College. The purpose of the consortium was to provide a system that links secondary to post-secondary schools and allows for easy transition of students through schooling to family-wage employment. Information about this program is outlined in Appendix A. Valuable partnerships between school districts; the community college; and business, industry and labor have been established. In April of 1996 the consortium received a School-to-Work (STW) Transition Grant which provided the opportunity for expansion into a comprehensive regional STW system for ALL (K-16) students. Two school districts have joined this consortium beginning with the 1996-97 school year; Coupeville School district, in Island County and Concrete School District, in Skagit County. The Coupeville School District received a STW grant for the 1995-96 school year. The plan to interface last year's grant activities with this year's consortium activities is outlined in Appendix C.
A recent program evaluation by consortium superintendents and steering committee members redefined activities written for this proposal. Data summarized from evaluation questions may be found in Section 5 "Measurable Goals, Outcomes and Procedures for Evaluation."
Since the grant award in April of 1996 the SISTWP has made significant progress toward its goals. Some highlights are listed below:
From this work, a long range vision of a regional STW program and a working definition of career curriculum were developed.
LONG RANGE VISION FOR SKAGIT-ISLANDS SCHOOL-TO-WORK:
By the year 2001 a self-sustaining School-to-Work system will be in place in the three county region which will maximize the resources and expertise from school districts; the community college; and business, industry and labor stakeholders in the region. This comprehensive system will minimize duplication and competition for resources in the region. All K-16 students will participate in school-based and work-based learning experiences as they move through seamless and flexible career pathways culminating with opportunities for family-wage employment. All educators will have a role in assisting students in making connections between the Washington State Essential Learnings and the world of work as well as the integration of academic and technical competencies. All students will progress through a career development process beginning with career awareness in the elementary school and moving into career exploration activities in the middle school and high school. All students will have career portfolios which move with them through their pathways. Comprehensive interconnected career centers at each site will provide support for school based and work based learning activities. The School-to-Work system will provide students in the three county region with the skills and knowledge to make realistic educational and career choices.
CURRICULUM VISION:
The product of the development of the Skagit-Islands School-to-Work Program will be a coordinated, integrated and comprehensive School-to-Work curriculum for All K-12 students with programs that articulate for grades 13-16. The curriculum will integrate school-based, work-based and connecting activities. Elementary components will include concept formation, vocabulary development, and exploratory experiences. Middle school components will include: career awareness and exploration of career pathways and interest inventories. High school components will include investigation of career pathways, formulation of a six year plan which includes high school graduation and career goals.
To accomplish these ends, consortium members agree to develop and conduct a formal STW needs assessment. Each district will complete a STW action plan, consistent with outlined SISTWP goals and outcomes, based on the results of the needs assessment.
School districts agree to:
Developing a regional STW system is a major undertaking with many stakeholders. The communication framework is in place. The goals from last school year remain intact. As several outcomes have been completed it is time to move to newer levels. The outcomes have been modified for the second year of this project. Continued grant funding assures continued implementation of the SISTWP.
1997 Educational Technology Grant
ABSTRACT: Tool Kits 2000
Reading Cadres were established across the state of Washington two years ago for the purpose of providing teachers with training and support to improve reading skills of elementary students. Teachers in each cadre developed skills in the areas of; understanding the Essential Learnings and frameworks, current instructional and assessment strategies in reading/writing, and leadership. The intent of this project is to build on the work completed in the Reading Cadres through the integration of technology into the reading/writing process. Approximately thirty primary teachers representing five school districts from three educational service district regions have formed a consortium for this project.
Each classroom in the consortium will be provided with a computer station and supporting software. Through a variety of staff development activities, each teacher will develop a multi-media/multi resource kit which provides the "tools" for students to achieve reading/writing Essential Learnings. Tool Kits 2000 will also include instructional and assessment strategies which integrate reading, writing, and technology. Project teachers will provide training to their buildings, districts, and districts in three educational service district regions on the use of the Tool Kits 2000.
1998 Goals 2000 Grant
ABSTRACT:
Northwest Educational Service District 189 is seeking funding for the development of the curriculum portion of the Growing in Washington: Food, Fiber and Kids program (see Appendix A). The purpose of this project is to bring Skagit County educators (approximately 30 from K-12) together with community representatives (in this case the food and fiber industry) to develop project-based curriculum for K-12 students. This will give educators the opportunity to APPLY the Essential Learnings and their knowledge of performance-based classroom assessment to the development of relevant real-to-life curriculum. Through a series of workshops and related activities curriculum will be designed, implemented and evaluated. The results of this project will include: 13 sample projects accessible to teachers statewide on a web site and a training manual for project-based curriculum development using educators and community members at the county level.
1996 School-to-Work Transition
One major accomplishment from the 1995-96 school year was the creation of vision and mission statements for the SISWTP. They are as follows: VISION: All students will have educational opportunities to develop skills necessary for meaningful employment and responsible citizenship.
MISSION: The mission of the Skagit-Islands School-to-Work Consortium is to provide broad based learning opportunities for ALL students by linking labor, education, business, labor, parents, students and civic entities in a collaborative system.
Program goals/outcomes from 1995-96 have been revised for 1996-97. The goals are categorized into four general areas: Goal 1 focuses on developing a regional system, Goal 2 outlines school-based activities, Goal 3 addresses work-based activities and Goal 4 proposes continued development in connecting activities.
| Home Page |
For More Information contact: sdm@olympus.net
© Copyright 1998 Susan D. Montgomery