Work-Based Learning

Plan work-based learning that moves every student from career awareness to exploration to preparation while building their aspirations, skills, and connections.

• Use the guiding questions to support ADT discussion, decision-making, and next steps.

• Use the ADT Agenda and Action Plan to organize the work and track progress.

Strategic Actions	Guiding Questions
4.1.a Build a WBL Plan & Calendar Plan and calendar WBL experiences throughout the school year for at least the Launch Year grade level.	• When during the school year will WBL activities take place? • Who will coordinate WBL (e.g., a WBL coordinator or ADT member), and what roles will educators, the advisory board, and industry partners play? • When will the ADT review and update the plan each year (e.g., an end-of-year ADT meeting)? • What logistics need to be in place (e.g., transportation, permission forms, district approvals)?
4.1.b Plan the Full WBL Continuum Plan career awareness, exploration, and preparation activities so students build on each experience as they move through the academy.	• Which WBL Continuum activities will students complete in each phase? • How will activities build from one grade to the next (e.g., a worksite tour in 9th grade, a job shadow in 10th)?
4.1.c Build Aspirations, Skills & Connections Plan WBL that helps students develop career aspirations, skills, and professional connections, using NAF's Outcomes-Driven WBL approach.	• How will WBL help students explore careers and map a plan for at least one career path? • How will students build the 6 Future Ready Skills and get feedback from professionals? • How will each student build at least three professional connections (e.g., mentors, industry professionals, advisory board members)?
4.1.d Use Student Voice Plan how student input will inform WBL.	• How will the academy gather student interests and feedback (e.g., surveys, WBL reflection forms)? • How will that input shape WBL activities?
4.2.a Track WBL Participation Plan to track and analyze WBL participation at the academy and student levels.	• What tool will the academy use to track participation (e.g., NAF's WBL Participation Tracker)? • Who will review the data, and how often?
4.2.b Ensure Annual Participation Plan so every student takes part in at least one WBL activity each year.	• How will activities be scheduled so every student can take part (e.g., during class time, grade-level events)? • How will the academy follow up with students who miss an activity?
4.2.c Plan the NAFTrack Career Preparation Activity Plan so every student completes the NAFTrack Certification career preparation activity before graduation.	• Which experiences could qualify (e.g., internships, clinicals, apprenticeships, mentored industry projects)? • Which partners could offer these experiences?
4.2.d Ensure Seniors Complete Two WBL Phases Plan so every senior completes at least two phases of the WBL Continuum.	• What support will students need to reach the preparation phase? • How will the academy confirm by junior year that each student is on track for two phases?

Strategic Actions

Guiding Questions

4.1.a Build a WBL Plan & Calendar

Plan and calendar WBL experiences throughout the school year for at least the Launch Year grade level.

• When during the school year will WBL activities take place?

• Who will coordinate WBL (e.g., a WBL coordinator or ADT member), and what roles will educators, the advisory board, and industry partners play?

• When will the ADT review and update the plan each year (e.g., an end-of-year ADT meeting)?

• What logistics need to be in place (e.g., transportation, permission forms, district approvals)?

4.1.b Plan the Full WBL Continuum

Plan career awareness, exploration, and preparation activities so students build on each experience as they move through the academy.

• Which WBL Continuum activities will students complete in each phase?

• How will activities build from one grade to the next (e.g., a worksite tour in 9th grade, a job shadow in 10th)?

4.1.c Build Aspirations, Skills & Connections

Plan WBL that helps students develop career aspirations, skills, and professional connections, using NAF's Outcomes-Driven WBL approach.

• How will WBL help students explore careers and map a plan for at least one career path?

• How will students build the 6 Future Ready Skills and get feedback from professionals?

• How will each student build at least three professional connections (e.g., mentors, industry professionals, advisory board members)?

4.1.d Use Student Voice

Plan how student input will inform WBL.

• How will the academy gather student interests and feedback (e.g., surveys, WBL reflection forms)?

• How will that input shape WBL activities?

4.2.a Track WBL Participation

Plan to track and analyze WBL participation at the academy and student levels.

• What tool will the academy use to track participation (e.g., NAF's WBL Participation Tracker)?

• Who will review the data, and how often?

4.2.b Ensure Annual Participation

Plan so every student takes part in at least one WBL activity each year.

• How will activities be scheduled so every student can take part (e.g., during class time, grade-level events)?

• How will the academy follow up with students who miss an activity?

4.2.c Plan the NAFTrack Career Preparation Activity

Plan so every student completes the NAFTrack Certification career preparation activity before graduation.

• Which experiences could qualify (e.g., internships, clinicals, apprenticeships, mentored industry projects)?

• Which partners could offer these experiences?

4.2.d Ensure Seniors Complete Two WBL Phases

Plan so every senior completes at least two phases of the WBL Continuum.

• What support will students need to reach the preparation phase?

• How will the academy confirm by junior year that each student is on track for two phases?

Check Your Progress

This section is complete when your ADT can confirm:

☐ 4.1.a A WBL plan and calendar is in place for at least the Launch Year grade level.

☐ 4.1.b The plan includes career awareness, exploration, and preparation activities that build across grades.

☐ 4.1.c The plan supports students' aspirations, skills, and connections.

☐ 4.1.d A process for using student input to inform WBL is in place.

☐ 4.2.a A process is in place to track WBL participation at the academy and student levels.

☐ 4.2.b A plan is in place for every student to take part in at least one WBL activity each year.

☐ 4.2.c A plan is in place for every student to complete the NAFTrack career preparation activity before graduation..

☐ 4.2.d EA plan is in place for every senior to complete at least two phases of the WBL Continuum.

☐ Required evidence has been identified, completed, and saved in the designated location.

Not ready to check everything off? Use your Action Plan to identify outstanding work, assign owners, and set due dates. You can return to this section at any time during YOP.