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Introduction
In 1997, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction published "The Workplace as a Learning
Place." That document defined school-supervised work experience as "a planned set of educational
experiences, supervised by licensed school personnel, designed to enable learners to acquire attitudes,
skills, and knowledge for work and other life roles by participating in actual or simulated work settings
related to in-school instructional programs." During the last several years, business representatives and
other education stakeholders have examined how schools might better ease the move of students from
high school academics to adult life. The conclusion reached was that greater student participation in the
workplace can improve student preparation in the world of work. Both business and educational
personnel agree that the workplace offers students experiences they will probably not find in a school
setting alone.
Work-based learning experiences expose students to different types of jobs and help students learn and
apply skills necessary to the working world. Concurrently, these experiences give students the
opportunity to acquire attitudes, skills, and knowledge for work and other life roles by participating in
actual or simulated work settings related to in-school instructional programs. All of these activities are
aimed at the infusion of workplace experiences into the academic environment to assist students in
developing work behaviors that will make them more employable. Further, these activities provide
workplace and academic experiences to assist them in becoming responsible, cooperative, and active
members of the community.
This guide is designed to afford teachers and administrators the background knowledge to understand the
nuances of the various work-based learning programs; to allow them to determine whether they want to
develop one or more of these programs in their district; to help them determine whether they want to
enhance a current program or merge various characteristics from two or more programs into a customized
work-based learning program; and, to outline their district's programmatic and legal responsibilities
regarding operations of these programs. We hope that this material will be of assistance to all school
districts as they analyze their current and future work-based learning opportunities.
John T. Benson
State Superintendent
Summary :
That document defined school-supervised work experience as "a planned set of educational experiences, supervised by licensed school personnel, designed to enable learners to acquire attitudes, skills, and knowledge for work and other life roles by participating in actual or simulated work settings related to in-school instructional programs." Work-based learning experiences expose students to different types of jobs and help students learn and apply skills necessary to the working world.
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