For middle schools that feed into high schools with career majors and occupational clusters, a four-year plan will help students think seriously about what major or cluster they will choose and the courses they will need to take. Many schools require assessment and goal-setting for all students. For example, the Garland Independent School District in Texas has occupational clusters at the high school level. Every student must have a four-year plan in the eighth grade outlining the occupational cluster they intend to pursue. To facilitate the decision-making process, schools in the district administer the ACT career survey to all eighth graders, and distribute a book entitled Decisions, Decisions, Decisions, that lays out the course requirements for each occupational cluster.
Some states call for assessment and goal-setting for students.
Each year the student updates the document. Projects and materials documenting these decisions are included in a student s portfolio. WAVE stresses teamwork, listening and speaking skills, and punctuality. Students practice resume writing and fill out sample job applications. In seventh grade, industry volunteers provide students with opportunities to further explore their interests through field trips and speaker presentations.