Career Guidance Program Hit A Snag Consultant Hired By Fox Critical Of School To Work As Too Costly

The state’s latest educational venture - School to Work - had the potential to explode into widespread controversy, said state Rep. Ron Black, R-Twin Falls.

But assurances from the governor’s office and state vocational education leaders have defused the situation, the chairman of the House Education Committee said.

School to Work, a plan funded partially this year with $1.9 million in federal money, is designed to provide career guidance and training to kids in all grades.

It has drawn praise from lawmakers and educators. But Dani Hansen of Idaho Falls, who was hired by state schools Superintendent Anne C. Fox to examine it, criticized the plan.

The program would:

Encourage visual and hands-on learning.

Provide business fairs and educations during the school day.

Give each student a certificate of employability telling prospective employers about their work skills.

Create a career portfolio that includes an education plan.

Although 70 percent of the money is slated to go to local school-business partnerships, Hansen’s concerned that too much money will go to administrating the program. Paid regional representatives will coordinate local activities.

“I hope at least 70 percent of it goes to the schools,” he said.

Although hands-on work experience is optional for 11th- and 12th-grade students, children will not be forced to work in any grade level, nor will they be locked into a certain academic or vocational track.

Administrators plan a series of announcements, videos and pamphlets explaining the project in January.

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Explanations coming School to Work administrators plan a series of public service announcements, videos and pamphlets by January explaining the project, which would provide career guidance and training to students in all grades.