1. 2 Dan Blake Director, Innovation & Partnerships Sonoma County Office of Education “Addressing the Issues”

2. Today’s teens and young adults are persistently disconnected from both education AND employment

3. Today’s workplace emphasizes… Critical thinking Collaboration Agility & adaptability Initiative & entrepreneurialism Effective communication Ability to access & analyze information Curiosity, imagination, & creativity DO TODAY’S SCHOOLS?

4. These “megatrends” lead to an important conclusion: A new approach to ensure that our youth are prepared to succeed & contribute to the economic, social, and cultural life of the community is a moral & economic imperative if we are to fulfill our responsibility to current and future generations.

5. What does this new approach look like?

6. Career Development Continuum Preparing all Youth for Success in College, Career, and Life 9-16 Career Awareness Learn about a wide variety of jobs and careers Career Exploration Explore, research, and plan for the future Career Preparation Gain education, training, and work experience Educated Engaged Experienced Aware Skilled Prepared Connected K-8 AwarenessExplorationPreparation Classroom & School Web Research Guest Speakers Career Interest Assessment College & Career Fairs Career Contextual Instruction College Awareness School & Workplace Core Academic Preparation Career Technical Courses & Programs Career-Related Project-Based Learning Career Plan Refinement Work-Ready Certification/Soft Skills Occupational Certifications Job-Seeking Skills Work Experience Internships College Preparation Families & Neighborhood Adult Interaction Role Model Observation Families & Neighborhood Risk Taking Role Playing Progression of Responsibility Workplace Job Shadowing Career Mentoring Community Service Projects Informational Interviews Workplace Industry Tours & Field Trips Career & Job Fairs Youth in the Workplace Classroom & School Career Pathways, Courses, & Clubs Integrated Curriculum Classroom Simulations Career Plan Development Career-Focused Projects & Assignments College Exploration Postsecondary Options Community College 4-year College or University Trade/Technical School Military Service/National Service Apprenticeship Enter Workforce (full or part time) Self-Employment/Entrepreneur

7. Provide students with early career awareness & exploration opportunities to connect academic learning with student interests and the world outside of school

8. Most of us acquired a superficial and narrow knowledge base of occupations while we were growing up. Our occupational knowledge reflected what we knew about our family members’ jobs, the jobs of our neighbors, and the people we came in contact with in our community on a regular basis. This natural occurrence tends to severely limit the career options that students see for themselves. It may explain why so many children mention the jobs of firefighter, police officer, nurse, or teacher when asked what they want to be when they grow up. These jobs are familiar to them in their daily lives. (Colussy, 1998)

9. Program Goals & Objectives Expand knowledge of career options

10. Program Goals & Objectives Expand knowledge of high school and post-secondary education/training options

11. Program Goals & Objectives Increase perception of post-secondary relevance (stress the importance of educational attainment)

12. Program Goals & Objectives Increase understanding of career goals, interests, and aspirations

13. Program Goals & Objectives Increase the number of students who develop integrated academic/career development plans, including course sequences that are consistent with career pathway options

14. Program Goals & Objectives Increase awareness of middle school staffs & parents regarding career development resources and educational options

15. Resources & Strategies: Career Exploration Site Coordinator Step-Up Classes The Real Game CA (fee-based curriculum) Kuder Navigator (fee-based website) Jobs Made Real (free website) California Career Center (free website) Math in CTE CTE Fund Cradle to Career

16. David Militzer, Education Program Consultant California Department of Education dmilitzer@cde.ca.govdmilitzer@cde.ca.gov (or) 916-323-5146 Dan Blake Director, Innovation & Partnerships Sonoma County Office of Education dblake@scoe.orgdblake@scoe.org (or) 707-524-2780 Rebecca Dedmond, Ph.D. Director, The Transition Initiative George Washington University rdedmond@gwu.edurdedmond@gwu.edu (or) 703-549-6935 Contact information…