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Career Pathways

Preparing Students for Life

By: Elaine Makas, Pamela J. Ill

Just imagine all students in your high school taking ownership of their own learning!

This is exactly what happens in a student-centered Pathways High School. Instructionally based, the Collaborative Career Pathways approach is to help all students add relevancy to their school work by preparing for the future.

Classroom processes remain the key to student-centered and self-directed learning
Community opportunities begin with guest speakers, chat partners, and field trip visits and then progress to job shadowing, internships, and mentorships
Counseling becomes a key component for students in the areas of academic, career, and personal skill development

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9780761939719
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2003
Page Count: 360
Publication date: February 19, 2004

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Description

"Howard and Ill have given educators a stunning encyclopedic handbook on career pathways. Loaded with helpful lists and charts, and written in a clear, conversational tone, Career Pathways is the new indispensable resource for superintendents, principals, counselors, and teachers."
Elaine Johnson, Honorary Fellow
Huron College

"Career Pathways is the most comprehensive curriculum approach to achieving the dual goal of academic and career maturity. High school educators who seek to promote not just college admissions but college success should consider the career pathways approach."
Kenneth Gray, Professor
Penn State University

Just imagine all students in your high school taking ownership of their own learning!

This is exactly what happens in a student-centered Pathways High School. Instructionally based, the Collaborative Career Pathways approach is to help all students add relevancy to their school work by preparing for the future. Collaborative Pathway High Schools allow students to self manage and problem-solve to better prepare for their future. This excellent resource brings together three crucial pillars: the classroom, the community, and the counseling processes that are found in all high schools.

Students begin this process by learning about their aptitudes, skills, and interests and then selecting one of several broad career paths (such as Human Services or Science and Industry). Students experience ongoing goal-setting and decision making. Through the classroom, community, and counseling processes, your students will be able to design and implement a plan that is just right them. This is what student-centered learning is all about!

Classroom processes remain the key to student-centered and self-directed learning. Integration occurs naturally as students have the opportunity to participate in integrated learning units that include the four core subject areas, technology, and one or two electives that all align to state and national standards and benchmarks.
Community opportunities begin with guest speakers, chat partners, and field trip visits and then progress to job shadowing, internships, mentorships, and senior capstone projects.
Counseling becomes a key component for students in the areas of academic, career, and social and personal skill development. Ample opportunities abound for role modeling and practice in teaming, problem solving, conflict resolution, character development, self-management, goal setting, and decision making.

By employing the Career Pathways model, your school can add relevancy to what students learn and do during their high school years. Help students be more focused and team-oriented, and the true drivers of their own learning!

Key features

Endorsed by the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education
The career pathways concept is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the National School-to-Work Opportunity Act, the Office of Vocational and Adult Education, the National Skills Standards Board, and many state departments of education (Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Michigan, Ohio, Maryland, Oregon, South Carolina, North Carolina, North Dakota, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, etc.), as well as the SCANS (Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) Report for America 2000
Authors present and consult nationally, including the Midwest Regional Division on Career Development and Transition (WI), Michigan Association for Computer-Related Technology Users in Learning, Michigan Education Association Professional Development Conference, North Central Accreditation Conference, and the National Center on Education and Work (WI).

Author(s)

Elaine Makas

Elaine Makas Howard has 25 years of experience in education. She has served numerous districts in Michigan in curriculum, career development and counseling processes as a regional director of Instructional Services. She is also a systems consultant with Curriculum Connections, a business she co-owns. Ms. Howard has a specialist degree from Saginaw Valley State University in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on curriculum. She has a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in school guidance and a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in history. She is certified in central office and secondary administration, counseling, and 7-12 social studies secondary education. Ms. Howard’s work experience includes secondary teacher, community education director, and curriculum consultant. She lives in Cass City, Michigan with three of her four sons.

Pamela J. Ill

Pamela J. Ill has been a devoted classroom teacher for over 25 years and is currently an instructional consultant at Curriculum Connections, a consultant business that she co-owns, and a classroom teacher with the Unionville-Sebewaing Public Schools in Sebewaing, Michigan. During her 25-year career, she has taught a variety of secondary subjects, including language arts, French, and psychology. Ms. Ill has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and psychology from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In addition, she received her Michigan elementary certification from Saginaw Valley State University. Ms. Ill currently team teaches Freshman Focus and designs Pathways curriculum. Her school became a board certified Pathways High School in 1998. She resides in Vassar, Michigan, with her husband, son, and daughter.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Student Centered High Schools

Acknowledgements

About the Authors

Dedication

Chapter 1. The What and Why of Career Pathways

The Beginning: A Student Scenario

What is a Pathways High School?

Why Pathways?

Two Closing Scenarios

In Review

Chapter 2. The Collaborative Career Pathways Model

Introduction: A Student Scenario

Model Structure - The Three Pillars

Implementing the Three Pillars

Community Vertical Process

Horizontally Integrating the Pillars

Putting it all Together: The Complete Implementation Chart

Students as the Center of Learning

Pathways and Citizenship

Pathway Myths

Conclusion

In Review

Chapter 3. Steps to Implementing the Model

Introduction: A Community Scenario

Part I. Three Steps to Successful Change - A Process Model

Part II. A Timeline for Implementation

Part III. Funding

Conclusion

In Review

Part I. Building a Foundation

Chapter 4: District Vision and School Leadership: The Pathways Foundation

Intro: An American Scenario

Vision, Mission, Goals and Values

Presenting a Solid Example

A Common Experience

A Common Process

Vision Process Chart

In Review

Chapter 5. Comprehensive Guidance to Prepare and Assist Pathway Students

Scenario

The Importance of Comprehensive Guidance

Career Pathways and Traditional High Schools Guidance Programs

Pathways Comprehensive Guidance and National Counseling Standards

Scheduling in a Career Pathways High School

Educational Development Plans and Portfolios

Student Testing and Data Collection

Creating an Avenue for Pathways Changes and Flexibility

Conclusion

In Review

Chapter 6. Curriculum in a Career Pathways High School: A Rationale for Standards, Mapping and Integration

Introduction: A Curriculum Scenario

The Importance of Curriculum in a Collaborative Career Pathways High School

What is Curriculum?

Integrating Technology

Curriculum Quiz

In Review

Part II. School Structure

Chapter 7. Focus Classes for Each Level of Career Pathways

Scenario

What is a pathways class and why do we have them?

Focus Class Key Concepts and Placement

What Does Each Pathway Class Look Like?

Freshman Explorations: The Cornerstone

Sophomore Selections: The Great Balancing Act

Junior Judgments: The Stepping Stone

Senior Transitions: Moving Forward

How are Focus Classes Delivered?

Curriculum Placement of Focus Classes

Pathway Change Process

The Long-term Results of Focus Class Work

In Review

Chapter 8. Scheduling in a Collaborative Career Pathways High School

Intro - Scenario

The Need to Address Scheduling

Major Types of Scheduling and Career Pathway High Schools

An Ideal Collaborative Career Pathways Schedule

Schedules and Teaching Styles and Professional Development

Creating a Schedule that is Right for Your School

Conclusion

In Review

Part III. Classroom Processes

Chapter 9. Freshman Explorations: The Cornerstone of Pathways Instruction

A Student Scenario

The Important Connections

Freshman Explorations: The Curriculum

In Review

Chapter 10. Pathway Classes Grades 10-12: Sophomore Selections, Junior Judgments and Senior Transitions

Scenario

The Great Scaffold

Sophomore Selections

Junior Judgments

Senior Transitions

The Scaffold Works

In Review

Chapter 11. Core and Elective Teachers as Support for the Career Pathways Instructional Process

Scenario

Gaining Support of the Entire Faculty

Core and Elective Teachers as Part of the Team

Staff Inclusion

Communication in a Pathways High School

Continuous Staff Development and In-Servicing

Teaming and Collaboration

Career Technology & Academy Teachers versus Collaborative Pathway Teachers

Working with the Core Teachers

Working with the Elective Teachers

How Pathway Teachers Differ From Traditional Classroom Teachers

In Review

Part IV. Culture, Community, and Technology

Chapter 12. Public Relations, Parents and Pathways

Scenario

Gathering the Stakeholders

The Public Relations Strategy

Talking To Parents

Talking to Students

Talking to the School Community

Talking to Community Members

Working with Technical Centers and Academic Sources

Myths about Pathways

The On-going Public Relations Mission

In Review

Chapter 13. The School Community: The True Classroom of Pathways

Scenario

Involving the Community

Focus of Guest Visits

Speakers in the Classroom

Site Visit Locations

Designing Field Trips To Accommodate Hosts

Designing Job Shadows

Service Learning

Involving the Community in Internships and Senior Projects

Support through the Academic Community

Conclusion

In Review

Chapter 14. School Culture and Climate in a Pathways High School

Introduction: Miguel's First Day

What is School Culture and Climate?

Why are School Culture and Climate Important?

A Key Finding: School Connectedness

The Pathways Solution to Key Findings #1 - School Connectedness

Other Key Findings: School Prejudice and Codes of Silence

Solutions and Suggestions for Climate Control

Establish a Working Committee for Culture and Climate Issues

Access Your Climate

Develop a School-wide Plan

Addressing Some Key Points of Instruction:

Pathways as an Avenue to Good Culture and Climate

Other Complementary Programs

The First Day of School Challenge

Conclusion: Miguel's First Day Revisited

Conclusion: Becoming a Student Centered Program

In Review

Chapter 15. Pathways as a Systematic Philosophy

A Graduation Scenario

System Change

Creating a Structure with Purpose, Collaboration and Support

Creating Cultural Change through Process and Experience

Key Provisions for Successful Systems Change

Conclusion

Resources: Sample Forms

A. Action Plan for Model Implementation

B. Vision Process Action Plan

C. Student 4-Year Planning Sheet

D. Sample Career Pathway Educational Development Plan (E.D.P.)

E. Department Goal Planning/Action Sheet

F. Curriculum Planning Tool

G. Career Pathway 4x4 Block Scheduling Planner

H. Career Pathway Alternative Block (A/B) Scheduling Planner

I. Career Pathway Traditional Block Scheduling Planner

J. Student Goal Planner

K. Study Skill Planner

L. Student Teaming Card

M. Sample Journal Questionnaire

N. Pathway Decision Making Planner

O. Chat Card

P. Pathway Integrated Unit Planner

Q. School Climate Planning Sheet

R. Staff 1st Day of School Questionnaire

References

Reviews

"Howard and Ill have given educators a stunning encyclopedic handbook on career pathways. Loaded with helpful lists and charts, and written in a clear, conversational tone, Career Pathways is the new indispensable resource for superintendents, principals, counselors, and teachers."

Elaine Johnson, Honorary Fellow
Huron College

"Career Pathways is the most comprehensive curriculum approach to achieving the dual goal of academic and career maturity. High school educators who seek to promote not just college admissions but college success should consider the career pathways approach."

Kenneth Gray, Professor
Penn State University

Other Titles in: School Change, Reform, & Restructuring | Teaching Methods & Learning Styles | High School Teaching Methods

Select Format:

Review Copies

This book is not available as a review copy.