School-to-Work: Making a Difference in Education. A Research Report to America.

A literature review of 132 studies of School-to-Work programs and consultations with the staff of the National School-to-Work Office, researchers, and practitioners in the field drew conclusions about the effectiveness of the School-to-Work initiative. Some of the study's conclusions were the following: (1) School-to-Work students maintain good grades and take difficult courses; (2) students in School-to-Work stay in school and receive their high school diplomas; (3) it is unclear how School-to-Work participation affects students' test scores; (4) School-to-Work students are prepared for college; (5) School-to-Work students can define their career interests and goals; (6) School-to-Work helps young people become prepared for the world of work; (7) the jobs that students obtain through School-to-Work tend to be different from and of higher quality than the jobs they would normally get; (8) School-to-Work helps students plan for the future and act in ways that will help them achieve their goals; (9) School-to-Work students feel that their teachers and peers are supportive; (10) School-to-Work enhances students' achievement in and perception of school; (11) teachers believe that School-to-Work benefits students; (12) teachers benefit from participating in work-based professional development; (13) employers support the School-to-Work vision and initiative; (14) employer participation in School-to-Work partnerships and in work-based learning activities is widespread; and (15) employers speak well of student interns and see benefits to their firms from participation in the program. (Contains 132 references.) (KC)