Circle Public Schools recently presented their Work Based Learning program to educational leaders from across the state at the Kansas Association of School Boards annual conference as well as to the KASB BOLD class of 2022.
Superintendent Don Potter, School Board Vice President Jordan Buxton, College & Career Advocate Breahna Crawford, and Director of Community Relations and Development Sara Potter outlined how to develop a work based learning program within a school district. Focusing on the need for a work ready community, integration of a work based learning program within the school day, as well as creating productive school-business relationships, they reported on the success Circle Public Schools has experienced since implementing the College & Career Ready program four years ago.
The goal of the College and Career Ready program is to provide students with experiences and opportunities regardless of their career interests and post-graduate plans. Experiences begin at the elementary level with career spotlights and begin in earnest in 8th grade with career awareness, progressing to 9th grade career exposure, 10th-grade career exploration, 11th-grade career preparation, and 12th-grade career experience.
The program has experienced consistent growth in job shadow experiences, internships, mock interviews, college credits earned, and community partnerships.
Interested in learning more about the program? Visit the College & Career Ready webpage or contact Breahna Crawford at (316) 541-2277 or bcrawford@usd375.org.