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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-8211
Montana's expansion into a statewide school-to-work program for its
public school students earned it a $1.8 million state implementation grant from
the National School-to-Work Opportunities Office, which is jointly administered
by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education.
The statewide Montana school-to-work program is designed to offer its
165,000 students from 465 school districts the opportunity to participate in a
school-to-work system tailored to meet the needs of each distinct district
whether it is a single school in a remote area or a larger school in a densely
populated area.
"I am very pleased that the effort to prepare students for the workplace
here in Montana as a joint effort," Vice President Al Gore said. "The support
and resources that the government and private sector are providing will make a
real difference in the lives of these young people."
In announcing the grant, U.S. Secy.. of Labor Alexis M. Herman said, "I
am particularly pleased that Montana's school-to-work system is designed to
prepare all students for careers and college, including those young people who
may be losing their way or who have already dropped out of school. These young
men and women have much to offer and with special attention they can discover
their potential and become important contributors to America's future
workforce.
School-to-work encourages partnerships among schools, businesses,
organized labor and community organizations that link classroom lessons with
the workplace. The partnerships provides students with the opportunity to learn
about potential careers and fields of study, as well as, participate in
internships, apprenticeships and "job-shadowing." Through this kind of
work-based learning students are first hand how subjects like mathematics,
science and strong writing skills apply in the real world of work. Research
shows that these school-to-work partnerships, that connect classroom-based and
workbased learning, improve students' academic performance and encourage them
to pursue additional education and training.
Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley said, "Montana's school-to-work
system is making important strides in encouraging students to reach high
academic standards and set goals for the future. I firmly believe every young
person should have opportunity to attend college, so I am especially pleased
that the state university system is so much a part of Montana's school-to-work
effort."
The $1.8 million award represents first year funding of a year grant
which will total $9.6 million. The state began designing its school-to-work
system in 1994 with a $200,000 development grant from the National
School-to-Work Opportunities Office. This initial grant, combined with three
years of additional development funding and today's grant announcement, brings
the total federal investment in Montana's school-to-work system to $2,911,103.
The National School-to-Work Opportunities Office has awarded 41
implementation grants nationwide.
Editors Note: A description of Montana's school-to-work
plan follows.
MONTANA SCHOOL-TO-WORK GRANT
Awardee:
Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
Contact:
Jane A. Karas (406) 444-0316
Amount:
$1,
800, 000
The Montana school-to-work program is changing the role of schools and
employers play in preparing students for college and careers. By Forming
important partnerships among parents, teachers, business people, tribal
councils, community and organized labor leaders, Montanans are making
connections between the classroom and the real world of work. A connection that
benefits the state's more than 165,000 students, including those who are
disabled, gifted and talented, at risk and those who have dropped out.
School-to-work in Montana builds on existing job-training and vocational
education programs, (tech-prep, career academies, cooperative education,
apprenticeships, for students and externships for teachers (an opportunity for
teachers to work in the business community to obtain first-hand knowledge of
its operations.)
Montana plans to expand its current local partnerships statewide to
cover 465 school districts, which can range from one room school house to a
large populated school. To ensure that students are provided with
school-to-work opportunities, local recipients of these funds will be required
to submit Equal Access Plans that outline how they will deal with the problems
presented by rural isolation. For example, students in remote areas are
encouraged to set up businesses in their schools or perform community service.
Specialized instruction will be provided through the use of interactive video
and the Internet.
A Statewide system of school-to-work advocates has been established to
encourage and promote active participation in the partnerships. State partners
who meet monthly include representatives from the governor's office, the Board
of Public Education, the Departments of Labor and Industry, Commerce, Public
Health and Human Services. A voluntary school-to-work advisory board meets
quarterly to investigate issues and provide guidance to the partnerships. Its
representatives from organized labor and community organizations. Additionally,
representatives from the state's biggest employers, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of
Montana, US West and Montana Power, also sit on the advisory board.
Educating communities on what school-to-work can mean to students,
parents and employers is the pivotal role of the Montana Ambassadors (an
organization of 150 business leaders), the state AFL-CIO, Blackfeet Tribal
Business Council, Offices of Public Instruction, Commissioner of Higher
Education and Gender Equity Coordinator.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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