Sheridan-area schools outline new work-based learning option for seniors

A district staff member presented a work-based learning initiative that would let students substitute an internship for traditional senior-year English while still meeting 12th-grade English standards.

The presentation, given during the board’s regular meeting, outlined three performance assessments — a career-preparation portfolio (resume, cover letter, application documents and a recorded mock interview), a workplace-betterment proposal based on three months of on-site experience and weekly reflections, and a cumulative employee self-evaluation (an "exit interview" video and reflective materials).

The presenter said the assessments align with Common Core–style standards for reading nonfiction, writing, research, language and speaking and listening. "All 3 of these assessments are very much career readiness, so you're out there," the presenter said, describing videos, presentations and speaking components students will complete.

Nut graf: The program is intended to give seniors more options for their fourth year of English credit and to expand work-readiness experiences. District staff described a multi-district collaboration and a shared online tool to help students explore careers and maintain records of their results.

School counselors and job coaches from neighboring districts have been building a shared employer database and templates for job shadows, mentorships and internships, staff members said. The presenter and a school counselor highlighted a web-based tool called YouScience that students will access; staff said students will retain access to that platform for up to 10 years.

"We basically compiled all of the employers," the school counselor said, describing a database that can be filtered by career cluster and that lists employers willing to host job shadows, tours or class speakers. The presenter and counselors said the program can be adapted to many workplaces, citing examples ranging from web design and day care to welding and ranching.

Board members and staff emphasized teacher-created exemplars and multiple formative checks designed to prevent the work from being a single-term project. "We have about five formative checks per assessment," the presenter said, adding that assessments can span a semester or a full year depending on classroom structure.

Staff identified next steps including job-coach meetings to standardize what a job shadow or internship looks like across the collaborating districts and a local celebration of the partnership planned for April, with a statewide event in May.

Ending: Board members thanked staff for the presentation and for the collaborative work across districts; no formal board action was required during the meeting.