Work-based learning (WBL) is an effective teaching approach used to engage students in real-life occupational experiences, allowing them to connect the knowledge and skills learned in class to the workplace. WBL provides students the opportunity to engage and interact with employers while learning to demonstrate essential employability and technical skills necessary for today’s workforce.
Providing high school students with WBL experiences is not a new concept; however, the WBL of
today builds on students’ academic experience and career interests, rather than simply releasing them from school for work that is unconnected to their education.

Freshman Career Exploration is a course to be taught in the 9th grade and is to be used as an introduction to career pathways and career decision-making. This introductory course includes content in self-development, career clusters, pathways, and choices, as well as financial planning. The course is designed to be taught in a “flipped” classroom environment where students are introduced to the content outside of class and actually experience the content during class.