Question 26
How does school-to-work affect homeschooling families? What are ways
that these children are or might be involved in school-to-work systems or
activities?
STW Wizard Strategies
Strategy 1
The MN School-To-Work Opportunities Indicators states: "School-To-Work
opportunities are available to any learner who is interested in participating.
Home school learners have opportunities to use the Internet System of Education
and Employment Knowledge to find work-based experiences. Job shadow day
is an example of a program that provides opportunities for all learners.
The Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning's Fact Sheet
for School-To-Work states that the Minnesota STW Initiative does not impact
policy for private or home schools in any way.
Strategy 2
If a student is being home-schooled and they wish to have an Individual
Transition Plan, our district will work with families to provide that service.
This process helps them determine what they want to do after they graduate
from high school and helps them be aware of post secondary programs which
support school to work.
Strategy 3
I believe that all students means all students and that if there are
career fairs, job shadow opportunities, service learning, workplace learning
etc. they should be offered and given every opportunity to participate.
Certainly they are eligible to apply for grants. When I was an elementary
principal we tried to work with home schooled children for programs, art,
music, physical Education, etc, and it usually was not a problem. I think
we should make sure the public is informed, although I can't think of the
best way to do so. Perhaps we should make the effort to do a public notice
or be sure the schools and state department of Education lets children who
are home schooled know of the opportunity. Good question. All means All!!!!!!!!!!!
Strategy 4
I agree with the above response, All means ALL. It is very easy to go
after the organized public and private schools where it easy to identify
who to deal with. On the other hand a few phone calls - to superintendents,
principals and counselors will usually net initial home schooling contacts.
Home schoolers don't operate in a total vacuum - they have their own networks
- sometimes officially organized and sometimes loosely. Contracts can be
made with these organizations/ networks just like schools or they can be
made through the local supervisory union which works with the home schoolers
in its area. Home schoolers like other alternative education initiatives
are usually very receptive to STW.
Strategy 5
Here's some quick thoughts.
School-to-Work is a way of conceptualizing activities, whether school-based
or home school-based, to effectively prepare for adult careers. As STW systems
develop, an array of school-based, work-based, and community- based opportunities
should become available for everyone who lives in a community.
In MN, for example, community-based STW partnerships have been formed
to facilitate the development of opportunities that are available to "all
learners." For people involved with home schooling, a initial contact
to the local STW partnership can make them aware of specific efforts they
can become involved with.
Strategy 6
In our area of central Ohio there is a strong network of home school
groups. In many cases these youth are found to have a maturity and communication
skills advanced for their ages. Local School-To-Work (STW) groups should
have a representative from such a group as part of the team. Business partners
should recognize the value of this population and make contacts to offer
presentations to home school gatherings. One of our 4-H clubs is comprised
entirely of home schooled youth and numbers around sixty. They frequently
have speakers for their meetings and are very attentive.
Strategy 7
It is possible that home-schooled children might not fit the school to
work profile? That is, many of the home-schooled children are excelling
in standardized tests and are looking toward college outside of the school
to work model. The school to work model is not the only model that students
need to be looking at. Some students are going to follow the traditional
model of going to college and making decisions after academic exposure to
a variety of programs.
Strategy 8
While I too believe that all means all, I think that there needs to be
a development of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Transition
Plan (ITP) that delineates STW as a needed service. If the kid does not
have one then the school is remiss in not assuring that there is a free
and appropriate public education (FAPE). I believe in most states the school
is receiving money to serve the kid regardless of whether the school or
the home is serving the student. I would indicate on the planning document
that the student needed it and consequently, the school would have to provide.
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