Education Leaders Go for the Gold in Work-Based Learning: New Report on High School Internships Outlines “Gold Standards” For Maximizing Benefits

March 15, 2010 (New York, NY) A new report finds that work-based learning programs in high schools need more comprehensive standards to insure the effectiveness of internship programs. The report, "Preparing Youth for Life: The Gold Standards for High School Internships" was developed by a task force of experts on work-based learning convened by The National Academy Foundation (NAF), with support from the James Irvine Foundation, and includes ten "Gold Standards" that will maximize the benefits of internship programs.

"While we know much about the best practices of work-based learning, especially high school internships, there has been no clear and measurable standards to ensure that young people receive the experiences that will benefit them as members of America's workforce," said JD Hoye, President of the National Academy Foundation.

Research suggests that internships can produce substantial, long term improvements to young people's ability to earn money and make successful transitions into adulthood. Internships introduce students to the habits and value of compensated work, while making connections between academic learning and its real world application.

"High school internships are an important component in the continuum of work-based learning experiences, and if properly designed and implemented can be lead to great successes for both students and businesses," said Ms. Hoye.

The report also includes recommended policies at the federal, state, local and school district levels to help sustain high quality internships.

"We have long advocated the value of work-based learning opportunities as essential to helping young people have successful careers as adults," said Ms. Hoye. "The time has come to set standards which insure that internships provide career skills that students need to succeed in the 21st Century."

The National Academy Foundation (NAF) was created as a partnership between business leaders and educators to address the need to prepare students for professional careers. NAF serves over 50,000 students in over 500 Academies in 41 states and the District of Columbia in urban schools through small learning communities. The National Academy Foundation operates four Academies, the Academy of Finance, Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, and the Academy of Information Technology.