2018 Grant Recipient: Schools That Can NJ

Schools That Can NJ

The Organization:  

Schools That Can reimagines education through Real-World Learning to close the opportunity and skills gap, by developing teachers, engaging students, and empowering leaders in education.

The Challenge: 

Newark schools struggle to prepare students for postsecondary success. Students often graduate without clear direction or support. According to a New Jersey Institute for Social Justice report, just 18% of Newark residents hold jobs within the city and less than 40% of residents of color hold jobs despite representing over 70% of the population. One barrier is the lack of career pathways to middle skill jobs. Increasing external partnerships and career exposure can help; however, principals rarely have time or resources to implement such programs.

The Project: Career Skills Program 

Through real-world learning, students are engaged in hands-on, industry-specific STEM education. STC Newark will expand their pilot Career Skills program by December 2020 to two additional high schools. Cohorts of at least 15 students per class year in each school (totaling over 200 Newark students per year) will participate in robust career and technical education programs in their schools, preparing them for middle-skill, in-demand careers after high school graduation.

The Grant:  

Funds from Impact100 Essex will allow STC to hire a Career Skills Manager, a vital next step for the expansion of Career Skills, to expand their program at West Side High School to two additional high schools, Weequahic and Barringer, and two additional industries. Over the grant period:

• 125-150 students will be served per year at West Side High School  

• 50-100 students per year at Weequahic High School  

• 25-100 students in second year at Barringer  

• 40 industry partners will be engaged (advanced manufacturing, health care, and industry TBD) 

• Partnerships will be formed with individuals at 2 or more higher education sites (including Essex County College and NJIT)

The Impact:

With these additions, Career Skills will work with hundreds of students annually, preparing them with employable skills for middle-skills careers, effectively ending a cycle of poverty in underserved communities. In addition to technical courses, students complete industry certifications, mentorships, internships, site visits, soft skills sessions, design challenges, post-secondary planning, and college credit, preparing them to successfully pursue these careers after high school.