School-to-Careers. Background Paper 97-8.

School-to-careers (STC) is a comprehensive approach to educational reform that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a successful transition from school to work. Systems that combine academic study and work experience are developing in every state in response to the federal School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. The Nevada Legislature has laid the foundation for the state's STC system through enactment of Assembly Bill 303. The 13 western states have used different approaches: career academies, cooperative education, skills guarantee initiatives, tech prep programs, and youth apprenticeships. Nevada is one of the few states in which STC system development and implementation involves the legislature, executive branch agencies, local education agencies, colleges and universities, and the business community. The state agencies responsible for oversight have obtained a multiyear, multimillion dollar federal grant to expand existing programs and services. The governor has requested continued state funding for increasing student school-to-work opportunities. The system's operational side consists of four regional partnerships, each composed of several local partnerships that engage in multiple approaches to help students with skills development and career selection. Nevada's STC accountability system uses the State of Nevada Performance Agreement Matrix. (Appendixes include the STC statutes, matrix form, and STC report of partnership activities.) (YLB)