By Rhys Baker
Clay Center Community High School started a work-based learning program 10 years ago in the agriculture department. The program has evolved into four pathways – business, agriculture, health science, and graphic design. Students with senior status, enrolled in courses that align with their internship, and have a minimum GPA of
2.0, can enroll in the work-based learning program. This year, the program includes 42 students on 35 work sites or 46% of the CCCHS senior class.
USD 379 Community Connections Coordinator Matt Weller says community participation is vital to the program’s success, “It’s impressive that we have a community that’s willing to do this because that’s a lot of different places right there that have said yes to taking on kids. Some of them, the kids, were already working there, but many brought on new students, which we’re thankful for because it hopefully helps them. But more importantly, it’s helping our kids learn what they wanna do and kinda get a head start on that.”
CCCHS students start their Freshman year with an individual plan of study. Guidance Counselors help them pick out classes that follow that path. During their sophomore year, students complete a job shadow by finding someone in a career they are considering. Weller says the Work Based Program motivates students who would rather work than attend school, “You have to be on track to graduate. You know, I think about those kids who maybe aren’t that interested in school. This is a good motivation for them to say, hey, listen. You do what you’re supposed to do by your senior year. You can get 2 hours of work-based learning in the 1st semester, and the 2nd semester can be half a day.”
Students must find their internship, complete a weekly work log, maintain passing grades, keep a log of hours worked, and complete a senior project. A few students have been fired from their positions over the years. Weller commented it was better that the firings happened while they were students so they could learn to change their work behavior before they are adults trying to pay their rent.
