School and work in the United States have been characterized as being largely unconnected.
Students see little relationship between what they are learning and their future.
In this new learning-intensive economy, learning and work will be increasingly intertwined and the mastery of more advanced academic skills will become more important to success in the workplace and society. Transitioning from school to work is more difficult for those with less education. At the same time, more high school graduates are enrolling in post-secondary education. Partnerships between schools and the business community will be critical to ensuring the success of these programs. As states and local communities undertake major changes in how they prepare and help students make the transition from education to employment, they will need to draw on baseline data and examine the best practices of programs throughout the country.