Many people assume middle school students are too young for career exploration, but by encouraging self-discovery and exploring real-world challenges, we can help these young people pursue their futures. Here are key considerations for work-based learning in middle school.
Join the I-WIN community on December 17, 2024, to discuss systems and processes to support work-based learning holistically.
Valley View School District is taking work-based learning to the next level with three exciting new initiatives. On November 14, 2024, I-WIN showcased how the district is deepening their understanding of and support for stakeholders while increasing career development experiences.
At an informal roundtable on building and strengthening employer partnerships, the I-WIN community shared insights, resources, and best practices with fellow work-based learning practitioners.
I-WIN made an in-person site visit to CareerSpark, an annual interactive career exploration event for 8th grade students in the Peoria region.
On September 10, 2024, I-WIN shared new resources to support work-based learning practitioners in designing career exploration activities and embedding essential employability competencies.
On September 3, 2024, I-WIN provided an introduction to work-based learning fundamentals. Better understand the resources and communities available to support work-based learning practitioners.
To help communities enhance their work-based learning programs and ensure equitable access for schools with varying capacities, EdSystems is releasing the new “Scaling Work-Based Learning: Quality Criteria for Continuous Improvement and Equity” resource.
Designing and implementing high-quality work-based learning experiences is challenging, and communities often struggle to find support. The Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network provides a model for peer collaboration by fostering a supportive environment for sharing resources and insights.
On May 29, 2024, I-WIN discussed insights, best practices, and resources to address challenges to providing credit and teacher allocations for internships.
On May 20, 2024, two students presented insights on their paid micro-internship exploring math beyond the classroom setting. We also provided an overview of the general micro-internship model.
Alongside a statewide advisory, EdSystems has developed high-quality criteria for work-based learning in support of the College and Career Pathway Endorsements framework. The draft resource is open for public comment until May 31.
How can we ensure high quality, continuous improvement, and equity in work-based learning opportunities? On April 29, 2024, our statewide advisory group shared insights from a new resource for stakeholders, now open for public comment.
Join us on April 16 for an engaging virtual workshop designed for those who design and implement work-based learning efforts and are eager to explore the world of AI tools!
On April 4, 2024, work-based learning leaders gathered virtually for a discussion to share insights, best practices, and resources to address challenges related to student recruitment for job shadows.
Job shadows offer students an opportunity to engage in hands-on learning and direct industry exposure but pose logistical challenges. Learn how stakeholders are exploring solutions for issues such as teacher buy-in and student interest.
To scale manufacturing internships, employers need to better understand how to engage and mentor students under 18. Now, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and EdSystems are releasing new one-pagers to guide employers in effectively hosting high school interns while championing equity in placement and career progression.
On March 18, 2024, two Illinois communities shared how they are supporting high school students in career development experiences, including internships and apprenticeships, in manufacturing.
On February 21, 2024, North Kansas City Schools shared their approach to ensuring a comprehensive and effective professional learning experience for students at every grade level, including the establishment of leadership structures and councils, operational and communication/tracking systems, teacher supports, and innovative opportunities for business-industry collaboration.
On February 8, 2024, I-WIN hosted its second session in an ongoing discussion of leveraging AI in work-based learning. Margaret Janke from the Wilco Area Career Center shared how they are utilizing diverse AI tools in crafting materials, designing experiences, and enhancing student engagement within the context of work-based learning.
What are your biggest hopes for artificial intelligence (AI)? How about your biggest fears and worries? In December, the I-WIN community met to reflect on these questions and explore the potential of AI to be a thought partner in the design of work-based learning experiences.
On December 5, 2023, work-based learning leaders discussed how to use ChatGPT to prompt innovative solutions, including hands-on time to generate new resources.
The key outcome of work-based learning is social capital, and building this valuable asset starts with being able to guarantee this outcome for all students. As a determinant factor in social mobility and overcoming socioeconomic barriers, social capital prepares students for their futures.
On November 8, 2023, communities shared how they are working with their school’s master scheduling team on flexible options to incorporate professional learning experiences.
At I-WIN’s first in-person event, partners toured Panther Credit Union, an on-site banking and finance work-based learning opportunity at Oswego High School. Heather Penczak details how the career development experience works and its impact on students.
Manufacturing has long been a male-dominated field, but the future of this industry depends on inclusivity and fresh perspectives. We gathered insights from manufacturing experts on supporting young women in manufacturing pathways. This collaborative effort has resulted in a resource that offers practical guidance for students at any stage of their career journey.
On September 19, 2023, the Iowa Department of Education shared strategies for integrating work-based learning within coursework and tracking the activities.
From work-based learning to pathway design to creating currency for students, EdSystems is learning valuable lessons through the Scaling Transformative Advanced Manufacturing Pathways (STAMP) initiative, a partnership with the IMA Education Foundation.
On May 23, 2023, we shared best practices, community models, and resources for supporting young women to pursue experiences in manufacturing. This session also shared insights and feedback gathered from female high school and college students on what they want to see in these efforts.
On May 9, 2023, leaders from Ridgewood High School, Triton College, Waubonsee Community College, and Elgin Community College shared how they are hosting regional team-based challenges in education, manufacturing, and health sciences.
On April 27, 2023, Collinsville Area Vocational Center shared how it facilitates Career Development Experiences through school-based enterprise models in building trades, auto mechanics, food service, education, and health sciences.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for manufacturing pathway students.
As organizations return to hosting in-person events, how do we acknowledge and design around the challenges communities have faced in recent years while inspiring more people of all ages to pursue high-quality occupations in in-demand fields? EdSystems worked with three Illinois communities to address that question.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for health sciences pathway students.
On December 14, 2022, Valley Education for Employment System shared how it is engaging employers in their region to be prepared to host and support young people in work-based learning opportunities, including internships.
On November 17, 2022, we showcased three Illinois communities that piloted a multigenerational Health Sciences Career Exploration event: Greater Joliet Area YMCA, Rush Education and Career Hub, and Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
On November 2, 2022, Liz Rush of Clairemont High School in San Diego, California, shared the school’s continuum of work-based learning, including a mentor program and internship opportunities available to students.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for education pathway students.
An archive of work-based learning blog posts from the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network.
There are many different components of successful Career Development Experiences, but with the battling priorities that educators face daily, there is one that you cannot miss: mentorship.
The Facilitation Guide supports communities through the process of creating and maintaining successful Career Development Experiences.
On July 18, 2022, we heard from District 214 about its work-based learning continuum for the business sector.
On June 27, 2022, leaders from California-based Climate Action Pathways for Schools shared their model for inspiring and implementing climate education programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while saving money for school districts.
On March 22, 2022, Science Olympiad shared how they work with industry and school partners to support and design opportunities in IT.
On February 16, 2022, we shared experiences along the work-based learning continuum in the manufacturing sector, with guest presenters from Ridgewood High School and the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association.
On November 16, 2021, we focused on experiences along the work-based learning continuum in the education sector with guests from the Southern Illinois Future Teachers Coalition and Educators Rising.
In collaboration with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Education Systems Center has released a new Career Development Experience Toolkit Companion Piece to address the needs of stakeholders outside of a traditional high school setting.
On September 20, 2021, we shared experiences along the work-based learning continuum in the health sciences sector, with guests from Whiteside Area Career Center, District 211, and Danville Area Community College.
An archive of past convenings of the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network.
In summer 2021, we hosted a three-part workshop series for designing career exploration, team-based challenges, and career development experiences.
EdSystems applauds the adoption of the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s new 10-year strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth.
The Career Development Experience Toolkit Companion Piece is designed for stakeholders outside of a traditional high school setting including workforce development organizations, community-based organizations, and alternative high schools.
High school intern Edith Lizardo compares in-person and virtual networking events and shares the importance of teaching students to network.
On May 25, 2021, the Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council in Evanston and North Chicago Community High School shared their processes to shift typically in-person work-based learning events to fully virtual opportunities.
On April 20, 2021, Alignment Rockford and Chicago Public Schools shared how they engage with partners who host work-based learning experiences including recruitment, ongoing support, and celebration of their partnerships.
On March 9, 2021, we shared lessons and insights from the Great Lakes College and Career Pathways Partnership and reviewed emerging ISBE expectations for reporting related to the College and Career Readiness Indicator, the College and Career Pathways Endorsement, and Perkins.
In response to the U.S. Department of Education’s RFI on Expanding Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Youth, the EdSystems team offered public comments based on the PWR Act and community interests, examples, and concerns gathered from our I-WIN members.
On January 21, 2021, we reviewed the Brookings report on how work-based learning can advance equity and opportunity, and heard from Here to Here on the value and impact of work-based learning to address educational equity and opportunity gaps.
On December 1, 2020, we shared an overview of career development experiences and heard from BJC Healthcare and Woodruff Career & Technical Center.
On October 28, 2020, we launched I-WIN with an overview of work-based learning plus guest speakers from Career Connect Washington, GCAMP, and Science Olympiad shared experiences and resources.
Explore resources to support innovative and equitable work-based learning opportunities, including a statewide resource bank of team-based challenges.
The new Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network (I-WIN) will support work-based learning educators in school districts and community colleges across Illinois.
As communities move to remote learning, we can also continue developing valuable employability skills through virtual work-based learning.
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