
Robots to the Rescue: Leveraging AI to Design Innovative Work-Based Learning
On Tuesday, December 5, 11 a.m.: Learn how to use ChatGPT to explore diverse perspectives and prompt innovative solutions for work-based learning.
On Tuesday, December 5, 11 a.m.: Learn how to use ChatGPT to explore diverse perspectives and prompt innovative solutions for work-based learning.
On Wednesday, November 8, 11 a.m.: Hear from communities working with their school’s master scheduling team on flexible options to incorporate professional learning experiences.
On September 19, 2023, the Iowa Department of Education shared strategies for integrating work-based learning within coursework and tracking the activities.
The first-of-its-kind Illinois Career Pathways Dictionary now includes expanded and updated definitions as well as resources and implementation guidance on a new website, pathwaysdictionary.org.
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.
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.
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.
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.
EdSystems is proud to announce it has received a three-year, $165,000 grant to strengthen work-based learning and launch an education research collaborative in the Belvidere and Rockford region. The grant was awarded by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ Community Grants Program.
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.
Learn how the Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES) is engaging employers in their region to be prepared to host and support young people in work-based learning opportunities, including internships.
Learn from three Illinois communities that piloted a multigenerational Health Sciences Career Exploration event this past year. These events were designed to provide information on education and career opportunities for both students and families.
Learn about the continuum of work-based learning, including a mentor program and internship opportunities available through Clairemont High School in San Diego.
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.
Please join our next community of practice on Monday, July 18 from 10:30–11:30 a.m. We will focus on experiences along the work-based learning continuum in the business sector. Learn how District 214, along with their industry and school partners, support and design opportunities in their business pathway.
At the I-WIN convening 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.
To support the development of high-quality Career Exploration and Career Development Experiences in middle and high schools, ISBE tapped EdSystems to support a one-year pilot program. Check out the pilot’s models, resources, best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for policy and supports to help better inform the field.
A statewide resource bank featuring models and related resource from the ISBE Career Exploration or Career Development Experience pilot.
As part of EdSystems’ Health Sciences Career Exploration and Career Development Experience Pilot, Rush Education and Career Hub and Chicago Public Schools piloted a new Career Exploration event designed with inclusion in mind.
The Health Sciences Career Exploration and Career Development Experience Pilot project is designed to support healthcare workforce development in the State of Illinois.
Through a community of practice and technical assistance to regional teams, STAMP serves secondary students enrolled in manufacturing pathways that articulate to community college programs and employment opportunities, with a particular focus on under-represented students with one or more barriers to education, training, and employment.
Hear experiences and learnings from communities participating in ISBE’s Career Exploration and Career Development Experience Pilot.
Scaling Education Pathways in Illinois (SEPI) introduces a third cohort of communities, a new mentor model, and expanded research into student perspectives and experiences in education pathways.
This convening featured how Science Olympiad and their industry and school partners support and design opportunities in IT.
On February 28–March 3, 2022, the Illinois Education and Career Success Network delivered high-quality content to a record-setting attendance of 767 educators, administrators, policymakers, students, and leaders.
This convening focused on experiences along the work-based learning continuum in the manufacturing sector, with guest presenters from Ridgewood High School and the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association.
I-WIN’s November community of practice on November 16 focused on experiences along the work-based learning continuum in the Education sector.
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.
I-WIN’s September 2021 convening focused on experiences along the work-based learning continuum in the Health Sciences sector. View the recording.
An archive of past convenings of the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network.
We applaud the US Department of Education for acknowledging the pandemic’s impacts on schools and build from innovative practices. We join USEd in seeking to re-envision how we educate young people and dismantle barriers that stand in the way of success for students of color for far too long.
Review recordings from the I-WIN Design Workshops for 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.
The May 2021 I-WIN session featured community presentations from the Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council in Evanston and North Chicago Community High School on their processes to shift typically in-person WBL events to fully virtual opportunities.
The April 2021 I-WIN session featured community presentations from Alignment Rockford and Chicago Public Schools on engagement with partners who host work-based learning experiences including recruitment, ongoing support, and celebration of their partnerships.
Through a partnership between EdSystems and Practera, Illinois communities have free access to pilot the platform through SY21-22. Practera is a customizable, web-based application that
The March 2021 I-WIN session included a review of lessons and insights from collecting, analyzing, and reporting on metrics related to work-based learning from the Great Lakes College and Career Pathways Partnership and a review of 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.
The January 2021 I-WIN convening includes a review of the Brookings report on how work-based learning can advance equity and opportunity, as well as a presentation from Here to Here on the value and impact of work-based learning to address educational equity and opportunity gaps.
The December 2020 convening of I-WIN included an overview of Career Development Experiences plus presentations by BJC Healthcare and Woodruff Career & Technical Center.
I-WIN supports employers, educators, and students to leverage innovative and equitable models for scaling high-quality work-based learning in school districts and community colleges across the State.
Policy & Program Manager Heather Penczak provided an overview of work-based learning and the I-WIN initiative, 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 Greater Peoria Essential Abilities and Knowledge (GPEAK) is a regional essential skills program to provide work-based learning opportunities.
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.
The Career Development Experience Toolkit, aligned to the PWR Act, supports scaling high-quality career pathways and work-based learning.
Released in 2019, the Career Development Experience Toolkit adheres to the framework of the PWR Act for College and Career Pathway Endorsements. These materials serve any organization that seeks to provide rigorous work-based learning opportunities to youth.
The first-of-its-kind Illinois Career Pathways Dictionary now includes expanded and updated definitions as well as resources and implementation guidance on a new website, pathwaysdictionary.org.
To help transform outcomes for youth and adults across Illinois, the Illinois Career Pathways Dictionary defines key terms for career pathway programs and system elements, while also offering resources and implementation guidance to support statewide alignment.
Receive EdSystems’ newsletter and event invitations