Take a closer look at real-world
practices. Charter high schools have contributed the following
abstracts of the programs and practices that they believe successfully
place learning in a real-world context. Each abstract outlines the components
of a practice and offers advice, contacts, and additional resources.
Additional practices are described in the Digest of Real-World Practices:
Applications in Charter High Schools. (See the Resources
section of this Web site to order.)
ACADEMIC VOCATIONAL CHARTER INSTITUTE
Watsonville, CA
Aeronautical Repair Program
A career pathway integrating academic studies with vocational training
in aeronautical repair.
CENTER FOR ADVANCED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (CART)
Clovis, CA
Project-Based Learning
Students complete a series of projects that require them to work with
representatives from business or government to identify and analyze
a problem and ultimately to present their findings.
Career Clusters
The curriculum at CART is organized around four "career clusters,"
each with distinct "labs" that represent specialties within a field.
CÉSAR CHÁVEZ PUBLIC CHARTER HIGH
SCHOOL FOR PUBLIC POLICY
Washington, DC
Public Policy Program
Students learn how they can affect both local and national policy, while
gaining real-world experience and developing critical thinking, writing,
and public speaking skills.
GREENVILLE TECHNICAL CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL
Greenville, SC
Mathematics Communication through
Technology
An integrated, project-based instructional strategy to help students
communicate mathematical ideas, acquire problem-solving skills, and
employ communication skills across the curriculum.
Senior Project
A yearlong independent study concludes with presentation of a senior
project product and portfolio before a panel of community members.
HENRY FORD ACADEMY
Dearborn, MI
Community Partnerships
The Academy brings together diverse members of the community—including
business, public education, higher education, and the nonprofit community—in
new ways to create a more meaningful educational experience.
Senior Mastery Process
A comprehensive, work-based learning program that serves as the capstone
to students' career preparation activities in the ninth through eleventh
grades.
ISUS TRADE AND TECHNOLOGY PREP COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Dayton, OH
Construction Training Program
Students acquire construction skills, build self-confidence, and gain
pride in their neighborhoods while pursuing their high school education.
Community College Partnership
A partnership with Sinclair Community College allows ISUS Trade and
Technology Prep Community School students to acquire skills in a trade
while pursuing their high school education.
MCKEEL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY
Lakeland, FL
Senior Internship Program
An eight-week internship exposes seniors to careers of potential interest
and real-life experiences.
PERSPECTIVES CHARTER SCHOOL
Chicago, IL
Community Partnerships
Perspectives Charter School has formed over 60
community partnerships with for the primary purpose of providing students
with opportunities for real-world learning outside the classroom.
PINNACLE HIGH SCHOOL
Tempe, AZ
Internet-based Instruction
Computer-assisted, Web-based instruction for core academic content in
Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Math.
Personal and Career Explorations Program
A formal instructional sequence for real-world personal and social skill
development.
World of Work
A cooperative education program that combines classroom theory with
supervised work experience.
PRESIDIO HIGH SCHOOLTucson, AZ
Partnership to Reform Instruction in
Science and Math (PRISM)
Math and science curricula that combine investigative laboratory learning
with internships in career fields that have a math and or science basis.
PROSSER CREEK CHARTER SCHOOL
Truckee, CA
Senior Project
A graduation requirement that allows students to immerse themselves
in, and fully understand, a professional field or career.
SKILLS FOR TOMORROW HIGH SCHOOL
St. Paul, MN
School to Work
This school to work program aids students in gaining the skills they
will need to be successful in postsecondary training and the workplace.
ST. CLAIR TEC ACADEMIES
Port Huron, MI
Intermediate School District Sponsorship
of Charter Academies
A unique arrangement between an intermediate school district and four
public school academies allows for meaningful involvement by local employers
in career and technical education.
On-Site Teacher Development
Teachers with industry expertise receive ongoing, on-site training in
curriculum and instruction.
TEXTRON/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PROVIDENCE PUBLIC
CHARTER SCHOOL
Providence, RI
School to Work
A job development/paid internship program that matches qualified students
with top employers throughout the local business community.
Skill
Remediation Through Longitudinal Testing
Adaptive longitudinal testing is used to measure student skill levels
in reading, math, and writing.
Skills/Advisory
Periods and Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)
As a complement their course work, students participate in daily advisory
groups, learning groups that address specific skill deficiencies, and
a silent reading period.
Wise Individualized Senior Experience (WISE)
A transitional activity that allows seniors to explore an area of interest
by designing projects that involve internships, intensive research,
or cultural, artistic, or performance-based activities.
WORK AND LEARNING CENTER (WLC)
Work and Learning Center: From Theory to
Practice
A developmental theory of adolescent connectedness under pins Work and
Learning Center's structured sequence of academics and work experiences.
Work and Learning Center Advisory Board
An advisory board of members from the local business community ensures
the relevancy of the school's vocational education program.
Childcare Assistant Teacher Program
A voluntary work experience in a childcare center or other educational
setting with an opportunity to complete the coursework required for
licensure.
Hospitality Career Partnership Exposure
An eight-week voluntary work experience in the hospitality sector is
complemented by lessons in work-readiness.
