Striking the Balance: Career Academies Combine Academic Rigor and Workplace Relevance

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August 2008

Striking the Balance
Career Academies Combine Academic Rigor and Workplace Relevance

Thomas J. Smith

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This "snapshot," published by the National High School Center, takes a close look at implementation of the Career Academy model, a popular high school reform that combines academics with career development opportunities, in a high school in Oakland, California. Painting a picture of one high school’s experience, the resource documents the mechanics of the program, how it prepares students for college, and the challenges encountered along the way. A recent report from MDRC shows that Career Academies can produce sustained employment and earnings gains, particularly among young men.