NJ Parents - Career Preparation

There have been some concerns over the years from the business and corporate community about the lack of workplace skills among some of the young employees that they hire. In addition, modern workers are faced with rapidly changing work opportunities that require all of us to have a greater variety of career and technical skills in order to survive and succeed in the career changes we are likely to encounter.

In 2004, the State Board of Education adopted the revised Standards and Assessment code that contains the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards and the statewide assessment system. The Department of Education proposed changes that would serve the developmental needs of children and create greater flexibility for high school students to select courses and establish new paths to a high school diploma that place priority on demonstrating proficiency in required content areas. The changes also accommodated the senior year project that allows students who have passed the High School Proficiency Assessment the option of pursuing other experiences in high school.

The department’s 12th-Grade Pilot Program is designed to encourage high school seniors who have finished all graduation requirements to enroll in college-credit courses or seek volunteer opportunities for both personal and intellectual growth. It also encourages districts to offer high school seniors a variety of out-of-school options, such as online courses and community service work.

Structured Learning Experiences (SLE’s) are an integral part of instructional and career and technical education programs. Districts may offer student’s opportunities to explore career interests through structured learning experiences (SLE’s). SLE’s include short-term, supervised student placements at community-based settings and local employers that permit students to observe workers and in some cases, participate in limited job duties. SLE’s permit students to “try on” jobs and learn about careers in order to assist them in making course selections and postsecondary education and training and employment plans. A structured learning experience may be either paid or unpaid, depending on the type of activities in which the student is involved. All structured learning experiences must adhere to applicable State and Federal child labor laws and other rules of the State Departments of Education and Labor.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are also an integral part of career and technical education instructional programs. These organizations provide students with the opportunity to enhance their occupational, employability, and leadership skills through a variety of activities, such as conferences, award programs, and competitive events. Activities are conducted at the local, state and national levels. CTSO programs and competitive events reflect current standards and competencies for the occupational education programs that they serve. Teachers infuse the organization’s activities into the instructional programs, enhancing the real world connection to the academic studies. CTSOs are also a valuable tool for implementing the Core Curriculum Content Standards (CCCS). The organizations are co-curricular and promote leadership, personal growth and career success among their members while instilling in them the values and ideals of citizenship, volunteerism, patriotism and cooperation. As an additional bonus, they provide professional development opportunities for teachers and advisors as part of their activities.

The department has focused its attention on partnerships among business, school districts, and institutions of higher education to create Career and Technical Education Programs for students interested in pursuing certain careers. Examples of such programs are Health Science consortiums, each headed by the Morris County Vocational School District and Camden County College, Information Technology and Forensics run by Brookdale Community College, and Media and Broadcasting with North Brunswick High School.