One of NCRVE goals is to make high-quality, career-related curricular options available to students in all public high schools in the nation. This is based on evidence that individuals learn best by doing, and that relating school to work creates focus and relevance for students. As the nation's largest research and development organization studying work-related education, the Center plays a key role in making this vision a reality through providing technical assistance to schools.
The Center's Professional Outreach Program offers researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from both vocational and academic programs the opportunity to develop their professional capabilities. Qualified Center staff and experienced field consultants provide technical assistance.
Center staff and field consultants are available to provide technical assistance to teams of educators at secondary and postsecondary schools. These technical assistance providers are experienced in implementing change and helping others. We work by telephone, via the Internet, and through on-site consultations. Both one-on-one consultations and group seminars can be arranged. We believe that flexibility is the key to a successful partnership.
For more information, call (540) 231-5982 and ask to speak with Susan Faulkner about your specific technical assistance needs.
Getting to Work: A Guide for Better Schools (MDS-1002). This staff development tool, intended primarily for secondary schools, is a comprehensive package of strategies, activities, and case studies for teachers and administrators dedicated to improving education. Getting to Work guides educators in using the world of work to create a rigorous, broad-reaching curriculum that prepares students for the full range of postsecondary opportunities, as well as for successful careers. State and district level administrators, principals, lead teachers, or other staff development personnel can use the facilitators' guide to lead short- and long-term in-service training or professional development. The five modules include Education for Work; Integrated Curriculum; Learning Experiences; Student Assessment, and Cross-Cutting Issues (such as scheduling and parent involvement). Each of the five models may be purchased separately for $65.00, the facilitator's guide for $150.00. The complete set is $395.00.
Preparing Teachers to Successfully Integrate Academic and Vocational Education: A Case Student Approach (MDS-780, $12.50). Designed for workshops with teachers and administrators, this unique professional development tool contains 46 case studies from schools involved in integrating academic and vocational education. By enabling individuals to anticipate and work through issues that tend to arise, this workbook can help accelerate the often slow and difficult process of collaboration among people required in order for integration to occur.
The Opportunities for School-to-Work-National Study of Work-Based Learning in U.S. Community Colleges (MDS-794, $2.00). This report assesses the opportunities for school-to-work efforts by examining existing community college work-based learning programs. The authors highlight success factors common to high quality programs.
As Teachers Tell It: Implementing All Aspects of the Industry (MDS-885 and 885a, price TBA). This report reports from a collaboration among four national organizations and four school programs. Each program wrote their own case study on implementing all aspects of the industry reforms, and explored how AAI responds to changing needs in education, employment, and in the global economy.
A School-to-Work Resource Guide: Focusing on Diversity (MDS-747, $10.00). This guide gathers resources useful to individuals developing school-to-work programs, and includes sections on the three components of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, general information, gender equity, and transition issues for special populations.
Linking School-Based and Work-Based Learning: The Implications of LaGuardia's Co-Op Seminars for School-to-Work Programs (MDS-1046, $3.25). This profile of New York City's LaGuardia Community College's co-op seminars offers a wealth of real-life lessons about promising strategies and possible challenges for activities seeking to connect school-based and work-based learning.