School-to-Work: Making a Difference in Education

This study from New York Institute on Education and the Economy examines the literature on the school-to-work initiative and its effects on students, teachers, and employers. The study found that these programs tend to foster positive relationships between participating youth and adults. Findings also suggest that the short-term effects of this initiative are promising. Positive effects include improved student attendance, grades, graduation rates, and labor market outcomes. Teachers and employers also reported benefitting from participation in the program. The authors note that research on the impact of the school-to-work initiative on standardized test scores was inconclusive and long-term effects on factors, such as postsecondary enrollment and completion and labor market success, are still unknown.