Work-based Learning and Certified Apprenticeships

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Work-based Learning

We build learning in the context of the workplace, beginning with an industry sector overview, presentation of a use case from an employer’s perspective, learner ‘onboarding’ to the use case, and collaborative creativity and problem solving.

Open Education Resources (OER)

We build accessibility-compliant open education resources that engage, support, and encourage edge learners. We begin with learner needs and incorporate teacher professional development, compliance requirements, and accessibility software fit into content delivery.

High-wage, High-growth Pathways

We design and implement high-wage, high-growth, high school career technical education pathways for high-needs learners; and open source all accessibility-compliant curricula, class materials, and work-based learning projects.
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Partners

 We partner and collaborate with K-12, higher education, nonprofit organizations, and international small businesses or individuals. Our focus for each context is work-based learning for edge learners. We mentor and contribute to additional technology projects.

The Education Trust notes that 2 in 5 Black and Latino students say they enjoy STEM courses and aspire to go to college. Still, less than 3 percent are enrolling in STEM courses. According to ChildStats.gov, in 2017-2018, only 5% of the nation’s high school students were enrolled in calculus. STEM entry into most top universities requires calculus. For those universities with reduced requirements, 20% of the nation’s high school students were enrolled in Algebra 2, and 16% were enrolled in advanced mathematics. 

Poor grades and drop-out rates are part of a cycle of inequality, low self-esteem, and consequent societal issues such as crime, youth violence, gang membership, and lack of civic participation. This crisis systematically builds alienation and inequalities. There is also a skills shortage in high-wage, high-growth sectors and a lack of diversity in the workforce, shown to impact corporate performance significantly. Respect and recognition from the community, parents, industry, and peers developed in CTE pathways through skill building, industry certification, and mathematics completion opportunities contribute to breaking this cycle.

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