Transition From School to Work: States Are Developing New Strategies to Prepare Students for Jobs
HRD-93-139
Published: Sep 07, 1993. Publicly Released: Sep 07, 1993.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the school-to-work transition problem in the United States, focusing on: (1) state progress in implementing comprehensive school-to-work transition strategies; and (2) possible federal policy options for assisting such strategies.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| If Congress wishes to support school-to-work transition strategies, it may wish to consider encouraging the administration to disseminate information on lessons learned in various state and local initiatives. | Section 404 of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act (P.L. 103-239) says that the Secretaries of Education and Labor will collect and disseminate information on: (1) successful School-to-Work Opportunities Program and innovative school- and work-based curricula; (2) research and evaluation conducted concerning school-to-work activities; and (3) methods for recruiting and building the capacity of employers to provide work-based learning opportunities. | |
| Congress may wish to consider encouraging greater use of existing program funds in school-to-work transition strategies, including authorizing waivers to permit use of existing funds in comprehensive school-to-work transition efforts. However, for maximum effect, any funds made available should be only for comprehensive school-to-work transition efforts, and funds for evaluations should be for studies designed to measure meaningful outcomes. | The Secretary of Education way waive any requirement under any provision of law in certain sections under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Carl D. Perkins Act. The Secretary of Labor can waive certain provisions under the Job Training Partnership Act (Sections 502 and 503 of P.L. 103-239). Section 402 calls for evaluation of performance outcomes such as academic learning gains staying in school and attainment of strong experience in work experiences, placement and retention in further education or training, and job placement -- all meaningful outcomes for school-to-work transition. |
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Topics
Career planningstate relationsGrants to statesSchool-to-work transition programsSecondary school studentsState-administered programsStudentsSchoolsApprenticeship trainingTeachers