MYTH 1:

School-to-work is just another expensive, categorical job-training program.

FACT: The school-to-work initiative puts in place a clear, comprehensive framework and provides venture capital for states and local partnerships to design systems to help young people make the transition from school to careers and lifelong learning. The initiative does not establish a new program to add to the myriad of existing education and training programs, but supports a national system that's based on existing models and efforts, such as career academies, youth apprenticeship, Tech Prep, and cooperative education.

In 2001, the legislation sunsets, and school-to-work systems were institutionalized at the state and local levels.

MYTH 2:

School-to-work is something for the "non-college-bound," or for "somebody else's kid" -- not for all students.

FACT: Years ago, non-academic, vocational classes were only for those students who did not plan to go on to college. However, today's high-skill job market demands that all high school graduates have both advanced academic knowledge and workplace skills and training. The school-to-work, or school-to-careers, movement aims to improve the way students are prepared for college, careers and citizenship.

The goal is to improve learning through more interesting and relevant experiences that integrate school-based and work-based learning and foster real-world applications of principles and concepts. School-to-work experiences are designed to develop young people's competence, confidence, and connections that can ensure successful careers and citizenship. These result in multiple options -- four-year college, two-year college, technical training, skilled entry-level work on a career path, and pursuit of lifelong learning.

MYTH 3:

School-to-work is unnecessary because high schools already prepare kids for college and careers.

FACT: Today's workplaces, and those of the 21st century, require a new kind of worker -- one who excels at solving problems, thinking critically, working in teams, and constantly learning on the job. In this new global and technology-driven economy, the skills of the workforce are a company's major competitive advantage. Corporate, community, and individual success in this new economy means that our education system has to change, too.

The old "drill and grill" method of educating young people cannot keep up with or prepare all young people for the changing demands and opportunities of modern society. We can no longer afford a two-tiered educational system with high-standards academic preparation for some and low-standards general track or vocational preparation for others. Today's schools must offer all students challenging, relevant academics and meaningful work-based learning experiences in their communities.

The consequences of our education system being out of sync with the changing nature of work have taken a toll on American business. More than 50 percent of U.S. employers say they cannot find qualified applicants for entry-level positions. It is estimated that American business spends nearly $30 billion training and retraining its workforce. Until we as a society fully address the mismatch between what and how students are learning in high school and what they will be required to know and do to ensure successful careers, this figure is likely to continue to rise.

The school-to-work, or school-to-careers, movement provides a timely response to these problems, creating a new form of education for a new economy that links learning and earning.

MYTH 4:

School-to-work programs continue to track kids into inferior programs of study with low academic standards and dead-end, low-skill jobs.

FACT: At the heart of the school-to-work approach are the twin goals of improving the quality and relevance of education for all students and improving young people's knowledge of and access to career opportunities. School-to-work programs break down the barriers between academic and vocational learning and infuse each with the best aspects of the other. School-to-work programs prepare students to meet high academic standards, and academic knowledge that is not taught in the abstract. Classroom instruction focuses on cognitive and occupational skill development.

High-quality programs incorporate new teaching methods, including inter-disciplinary team teaching, block-scheduling students, project-based instruction, and other instructional and site-based innovations. They are consistent with and supportive of mainstream education reform movements.

MYTH 5:

Young people won't want to participate in school-to-work programs.

MYTH 6:

Employers won't become involved in school-to-work partnerships because they're too expensive and do not have immediate payoffs.

FACT: Industry supports school-to-work partnerships because they represent an investment in important " human capital," yielding access to highly trained, versatile workers, certified and knowledgeable in all aspects of an industry. Business today spends about $30 billion yearly to educate its workforce. School-to-work programs provide a competent, trained, and highly educated workforce capable of performing at high levels and prospering in a global economy.

The National Employer Leadership Council (NELC) was founded by 19 CEOs of leading companies to promote work-based learning opportunities for all students in America's schools in collaboration with other business organizations, school systems, public-sector organizations, and federal, state, and local governments. The NELC also aims to enhance the quality of the nation's workforce and improve the productivity and competitiveness of American business in the global economy. NELC members include CEOs of: Ford Motor Company, American Express, BellSouth Corporation, Eastman Kodak Company, Manpower Corporation, New England Medical Center, and Siemens Corporation.