Middle Grades Career Planning Programs

Abstract

Students in middle grades are making decisions that greatly affect their future educational and career paths. Many times students do not have the necessary information or assistance to help them make decisions that would engender success in their educational and career paths. For students to be able to think about their career plans with any depth, they must have a foundation of career awareness and career exploration experiences. These experiences can help students realize what is required of them when interested in a certain career or career cluster and help them form realistic career plans. Implementation of a six-year plan of study, curriculum infusion, and job shadowing are just a few of the critical elements that need to take place in the career exploration phase. These elements, along with others found in a comprehensive career guidance program, can help assure students are cognizant of the many educational and career opportunities available to them and how to capitalize on these opportunities.

Keywords

career exploration career awareness careeer planning middle grades.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Oklahoma Department of Vocational and Technical Education. (1996a). Implementing a Local School-to-Work Partnership: 7th and 8th Grades. Stillwater, OK: Author.

Oklahoma Department of Vocational and Technical Education. (1996b). Implementing a Local School-to-Work Partnership: The Six-Year Plan of Study. Stillwater, OK: Author.

Pgi Research. (1998). Oklahoma School-to-Work System: Parents with Children at Home Statewide Survey. Oklahoma City, OK: PGI L.L.C.

Southern Regional Education Board. (1998). High Schools that Work Composite of Oklahoma Sites Vocational Completers. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service.

Wheelock, A. , & Dorman, G. (1988). Before It's Too Late: Dropout Prevention in the Middle Grades. Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.