Real World Learning

A Market Value Asset (MVA) is a cornerstone experience that prepares a student for future learning and employment. MVAs are authentic previews of the world of work or post-secondary education. While the professional and academic worlds are ever-changing, the outgrowths students develop when they work on authentic projects with real employers and mentors are durable enough to benefit them throughout their lives. (www.realworldlearning.org)

This is a specialized certificate that a student can earn in addition to his or her high school graduation diploma. The intent of the certificate is to provide students with the necessary skills to be prepared for an entry level career of additional training in a technical field. Students must meet all the requirements in order to receive the CTE certificate. See this link for more information.

Students engage in coursework and/or achieve qualifying scores on designated assessment(s) that support them in meeting their post-secondary goals. To qualify, coursework and qualifying assessments must have recognized value or currency such as job placement, admission to post-secondary training, advanced training, financial benefit (e.g. scholarship), etc.

These are credentials students receive based on evidence of learning that prepares them for specific jobs. As part of the flexibility afforded by the Demonstration Project waiver, IRC’s developed by local districts with employers qualify even if they are not on the official list published by DESE. This allows local districts to more quickly respond to local force needs.

Students complete meaningful workplace job tasks that develop readiness for work, knowledge and skills that support entry or advancement in a particular career field.

Client Connected Projects - Learners analyze and solve authentic problems, working in collaboration with other learners and professionals from industry, not-for-profit, civic or community-based organizations.

Extended Learning Opportunities (ELOs) - Learners pursue their interests and career aspirations in a variety of non-traditional ways. The goal is for students to be exposed to real world applications in their area of interest. ELOs are designed and driven by a learner's authentic interest. More information on ELOs at Pattonville High School can be found here.

Internships - Learners perform meaningful job tasks at the worksite or approved location, under the guidance of a qualified supervisor.

Senior Career Internship (Business/Marketing students)

Students identify a compelling social or market problem and mobilize resources to research and solve it. Leveraging input and support from multiple stakeholders, students iteratively analyze, prototype, implement, reflect and adapt potential solutions. Outputs of MVA-level entrepreneurial experiences include a market and stakeholder research summary, a ‘business plan’ that includes an assessment of costs and benefits associated with development or operation of their solution, and feedback from relevant external stakeholders obtained through exhibition or ‘shark-tank’ type pitch opportunities.

Students with disabilities are supported by the local school district’s special education staff who, in partnership with Vocational Rehabilitation, in preparing for the transition from school to post-high school employment, education, specialized training and independence.