PACE Receives $499,280 for School-to-Work Activities

CONTACT: REBECCA EIDSON, EXT. 2456

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/7/2000

PENDLETON -- The Partnership for Academic and Career Education (PACE) has received $499,280 in federal funds to implement school-to-work activities in the tri-county's seven school districts, Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University.

These federal school-to-work funds were awarded through the S.C. Department of Education's Office of Career and Technology Education. This initiative will serve students in grades K through the postsecondary level.

PACE, based at Tri-County Technical College, is a consortium which helps to develop the Tech Prep (PREParation for TECHnologies) Tech Prep/School-to-Work program in the tri-county area. More than a decade ago, this partnership was formed between the seven school districts of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties, Tri-County Technical College, business and industry partners, the Anderson County Business and Education Partnership and Clemson University.

Tech Prep/School-to-Work programs provide academic courses tied to the real world, structured work experience, career exploration and a seamless transition between secondary and postsecondary levels of education.

The majority of this year's grant will be used by the school districts for a variety of School-to-Work programs and activities. For example, staff development sessions will be held on School-to-Work issues. These courses and workshops will focus on understanding the career planning process, workforce skills that are necessary for success and changing technology.

A part of the grant will include a week-long School-to-Work celebration, scheduled for January 31 – February 4, to heighten awareness and appreciation of School-to-Work, as well as to gain visibility in the schools and community. Among the events planned is a February 1 conference for teachers titled "Our Community's New Workplace."

Another focus will be expanding the districts' partnerships with business and industry. "Currently, many districts have 50 - 100 businesses providing support at some level for School-to-Work," said Rebecca Eidson, executive director of PACE. "Many new partnerships will be established and others are expanding to include job shadowing, internships and co-ops."

Other projects include preparing career advisement materials for students and establishing mentoring program with at-risk students.

The grant also will fund the development of a new interactive web site designed to enable parents to get involved with career planning with their children.

This website, to be developed and maintained by the PACE office, should be operational by spring. "Parents can use the site to learn the importance of career planning," said Mrs. Eidson. "We've found there aren't many websites specifically devoted to helping children to plan for their careers. This is a component we want to develop. The site will be designed for our partners, but will be universally useful."

She added that a booklet with the same information will be published for those who do not have Internet access. In addition, related workshops for parents will be facilitated by PACE staff.
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