Work-Based Learning System Overview

Work-based learning (WBL) is an instructional strategy where students interact with industry/community partners in addition to their teachers by participating in authentic real-world activities. These learning experiences are designed to help students extend and deepen classroom work while increasing progress on learning outcomes that are difficult to achieve through classroom learning alone. The primary purposes of work-based learning are to expose students to future options and provide opportunities for skill development and mastery over time. The work-based learning system puts in place automatic processes, policies, and tools to help routinize the management and support of this work; allowing educators to focus their time and attention on the tremendous learning potential this approach has to offer.

Work-Based Learning System Design and Revision Cycle

A district system for work-based learning (WBL) must be in place to support pathways and teachers. District leaders focus on understanding and enriching the system informed by findings from an analysis of student experiences across the district. District leaders engage in a regular review of support services to assess the presence and function of required support system elements.

District college and career readiness leadership teams work to:

  • Create a shared vision around the purpose and benefits of work-based learning;
  • Provide leadership commitment with defined roles and responsibilities;
  • Align work-based learning experiences with clearly articulated student learning outcomes;
  • Provide structures to engage advisory councils; and
  • Support the authoring of clearly defined indicators of success.

Domain Resources 1-4:

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District college and career readiness leadership teams work to:

  • Provide a technology infrastructure for a district-wide database;
  • Create work-based learning management forms and tools along with legal and liability compliance processes;
  • Develop processes for monitoring and evaluating student experiences for system-wide continuous improvement; and
  • Support resource development; and 
  • Support pathway and community partner celebration and recognition.

Domain Resources 1-4:

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District college and career readiness leadership teams work to:

  • Provide qualified work-based learning staff with designated roles and responsibilities;
  • Provide training for work-based learning staff and coordinators;
  • Develop processes for embedding work-based learning in project design and delivery; and
  • Support ongoing student assessment to determine growth in student learning outcomes.

Domain Resources:

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District college and career readiness leadership teams work to:

  • Provide orientation and training for industry partners;
  • Develop tools to support internship placement and employer matching;
  • Provide a communication system; and
  • Adopt a work-based learning continuum outlining the sequence of activities and curriculum foci.

Domain Resources:

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