This book describes and analyzes the current state of work-based learning. It begins with a review of the history of work-based learning and its place in policy-making around school reform, which establishes the theoretical and empirical basis for the rest of the book. Based on over five years of research on work-based learning in high school and community college programs across the country, it explores the potential for using work-based learning as part of a broad education reform strategy. There are no existing books that address the topic of work-based learning as directly and broadly, connecting theory to practice. The authors emphasize the importance of situated learning in understanding work-based learning and in creating engaging and educational experiences for youth.

This book describes and analyzes the current state of work-based learning. It begins with a review of the history of work-based learning and its place in policy-making around school reform, which establishes the theoretical and empirical basis for the rest of the book. Based on over five years of research on work-based learning in high school and community college programs across the country, it explores the potential for using work-based learning as part of a broad education reform strategy. There are no existing books that address the topic of work-based learning as directly and broadly, connecting theory to practice. The authors emphasize the importance of situated learning in understanding work-based learning and in creating engaging and educational experiences for youth.

Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to enroll in college courses before high school graduation, giving them firsthand exposure to the requirements of college-level work and allowing them to gain high school and college credit simultaneously. The role of dual enrollments in easing the transition between high school and postsecondary education was explored through a review of dual enrollment programs across the United States. Particular attention was paid to New York City's College Now program and Wisconsin's Youth Options program. College Now allows seniors from select New York City high schools to take up to six credits of college-level courses per semester at their high school. Whereas College Now focuses on academic subjects and preparing students for college-level work, Youth Options focuses on providing young people with expanded curricular choice, particularly in vocational subjects. Compared with other City University of New York freshman, College Now graduates earned more college credit than and were more likely to graduate from college on time. Youth Options was found to have had a discernible impact in providing a wide array of curricular options to high school students, particularly in rural schools. It was concluded that both delivery models have the potential to improve preparation for college. (Contains 37 references.).