Narrative: b. 3. E.

Secondary

Work-Based Learning: Minnesota has long supported CTE opportunities for students with disabilities and has placed an emphasis on providing work-based learning coursework for this population Recent funding changes enacted by the Minnesota Legislature has required further training for school districts, so the Department of Education has been providing a number of work-based learning seminars. The seminars focus on effective community-based instruction, particularly that provided under the state transition-disabled program (career and technical education for students with disabilities). These workshops are provided in collaboration with special education staff in the Department and stress not only effective work-based learning activities but also link career and technical education programming with the expectations as outlined in the individual educational programs (IEPs) of participating students and rehabilitation services staff from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Resources for local districts may be access at: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/cte/tl/wbl/

Alternative High Schools: Staff from the Department of Education provides annual updates at the winter conference of the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs (MAAP). The state’s alternative high schools, including area learning centers, state-approved alternative schools, charter schools and contract alternative schools, provide options to students who have otherwise been unsuccessful in their educational pursuits. Most alternative school students are members of special populations, particularly disadvantaged students, pregnant teens/parenting students, students with limited English ability, or students with disabilities.

Postsecondary

See the response to item (a)-(c) above for postsecondary. In addition, the system has developed Experiential Education: Internships & Work-Based Learning Guide which can be accessed at http://www.minnstate.edu/system/asa/workforce/index.html.