Preparing Maine's Youth for the World of Work.

Overview & Synopsis

A joint project in Maine was conducted to improve Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA)/school collaboration in the delivery of career education services to students in grades 7-12. Following a needs assessment and successful application for a funding grant, participating agencies formed local CETA/career education linkage teams which were responsible for program planning and implementation. Each school system carried out the following programs: (1) development and implementation of a comprehensive career education curriculum for K-12; (2) implementation of five experimental career education programs; (3) establishment of a career education resource center; and (4) delivering career and occupational information. In addition, state-level subcontracts were let to contractors who completed a series of career education conferences and workshops throughout the state; performed a programmatic assessment of career education in Maine; published the Career Education Management Activity Guide; established a work education resource center; and published Maine's Work/Education Quarterly. As a result of the project, eight recommendations were made for increased funding for career education and increased linkages between the schools' career education programs and CETA agencies. (KC)