Rationale

Student achievement is the Baltimore County Public School (BCPS) System’s primary goal. Research has proven that experiential learning promotes intellectual maturity, personal growth, career awareness, as well as civic and social responsibility. Experiential learning through a work experience program provides a dynamic, structured partnership offering a wide range of opportunities to promote student achievement.  Baltimore County Public Schools offers many different types of work-based learning programs including work experience programs, apprenticeships, internships, and job shadowing, in addition to school-based career awareness and development activities.  These experiences provide opportunities for students to apply their academic skills in real-world settings.

Vision

BCPS' graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to reach their potential as responsible, productive citizens in a global economy and multicultural society.

Source:  Baltimore County Public Schools Blueprint for Progress,
Available:  http://www.bcps.org/offices/super/pdf/Blueprint-for-Progress.pdf

Mission

The mission of the STCT programs is to empower students to focus on career pathways that allow students to utilize and apply their academic and technical skills to authentic workplace situations, thereby fostering meaningful business partnerships and developing the skills required to compete ethically in the ever-changing global economy.

Goals
The School to Career Transition programs provide work experiences in which the student, business partner, and work-based learning (WBL) coordinator work as a team to:

• Integrate academics with work-based experiences to increase student achievement.
• Develop the skills and knowledge base necessary to make appropriate and informed decisions in the career development process to prepare students for lifelong learning.
• Create a realistic work experience that will enable students to develop positive work ethics and values such as honesty, loyalty, and tolerance of diversity.
• Provide an atmosphere in which students develop self-respect and a positive self-image.
• Demonstrate mastery of general and specific competencies through the development and the execution of a learning plan.