All students means both male and female students from a broad range of backgrounds and circumstances, including disadvantaged students students with diverse racial, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds . . . students with disabilities, students with limited English proficiency, migrant children, school dropouts, academically talented students, and those gifted with special talents in other areas.

Employers have learned that diversity promotes increased productivity, innovation, and responsiveness to customers. School-to-Work can help prepare all students for the workforce by:

• encouraging all students to explore jobs and careers that require a wide variety of skills;

• serving and motivating students with different learning styles and diverse backgrounds;

• engaging youth and partners in all stages of design;

• teaching a range of problem-solving, team-building, and communication skills that are relevant to the specific task and environment and are readily transferable to others;

• engaging out-of-school youth in pursuing further education and training;

• encouraging both male and female students to investigate careers that may still be non-traditional for their gender yet match their interests and aptitudes.

School-to-Work is an evolving concept that will change over time. This guide will serve as a work in progress that includes “best practices” and contributions from many outstanding communities that have implemented School-to-Work activities throughout Vermont. There is no single way to develop a successful school-to-work learning system. However, we have included numerous models that offer insightful suggestions from practitioners.

The School-to-Work Resource Guide is focused on developing, implementing and maintaining experiential learning strategies throughout the Lake Champlain Region and Vermont.