Abstract:
With the federal School–to-Work Opportunities Act funding cut in 2000, therequirement for schools preparing students for a smooth transition into postsecondaryeducation and the workforce remain a focused concern of administrators and employers.The purpose of this study was to determine if participation in the School-to-Career (STC)program had a more positive influence on perceptions of the senior year experience ascompared to perceptions held by A+ Program participants. This study also sought todetermine if the STC senior year experience had a more positive influence on perceptionsof post-secondary transitions as compared to perceptions held by A+ Programparticipants. This quantitative research study was undertaken in a small rural publicschool district of Lawson, Missouri, comparing 114 alumni who met the same GPA andattendance criteria, with results supporting internships for high school students.Results of multiple independent t-tests indicated a statistically significantdifference between STC intern participant perceptions and A+ program participantperceptions of 1) the senior year’s contribution to a positive work ethic and, 2) thedevelopment of realistic expectations required in post high school education and/oremployment in the workplace. The study also examined perceptions of post high schoolexperiences and/or choices, finding a significant difference between STC interns’ and A+participants’ perceptions of the senior year helping with networking in the students’career of interest. Recommendations for further study include comparing similarlypopulated school districts with other districts offering the work-based programs, andsurveying parents of the effect of an internship program on their student and STCbusiness partners’ of their experiences as a resource for district internship planning.