As the city of Phoenix grew, they added a variety of private employers. Over many years, the program used CETA and JTPA funds to expand services. Eventually the program became an alternative campus for ninth graders and then a public charter school with approximately 200 students. The technical assistance and support from Brandeis helped them to make the leap. These young people work in teams of six to develop, plan and implement an assigned project, such as the video about the importance of voting and staying in school which we were shown by Smith.
Projects are usually six to eight weeks in length.
Participants received an elective credit, half in reading and half in work experience, from their schools. Some participants are paid, some are not, depending on the project. Unpaid participants often have paying jobs as well, creating scheduling challenges. In the discussion period, Susan Curnan made the following legislative recommendations for summer youth employment and training programs. The use of project-based learning should be greatly increased.