YAs working with Title I schools and special education students
As most of you are aware, a document of key information was presented at the recent webinars covering the new YA pathways in the Education and Training YA Program Area. Included in that document were the following statements regarding youth apprentices in the School Age Education Youth Apprenticeship:
§ YA students cannot work with special education students.
§ YA students cannot work in Title I schools.
We are currently working with officials at DPI to examine the federal sources that are behind this guidance, and whether those restrictions are in fact necessary and appropriate for youth apprentices. We will continue to be in touch regarding this development. Importantly, though, see #2 below.
"Placing" students prior to program knowledge being shared with employers and students
I've heard from a couple of YA consortia that they have been placing students into the YA program in the education pathways. I'm not sure what was meant by that exactly, but wanted to remind all of you that you have not received the YA Education On-the-Job Learning (OJL) guides and other key documents related to those pathways, so I am not sure what is being reviewed with employers and students in order to make them aware of those programs' pathway requirements at this point. The issue related to Title I schools is a good example of why the YA staff have stated that you should not be "placing" students in these or telling employers what the specifics are of those new YA pathways, as they have not been released yet.
Until the OJL guides are released, things can change. If you happen to secure a draft of a new OJL Guide/checklist from someone involved in the development process, it would be wise to refrain from using it. When our DWD communications and document staff have finalized those documents, they will be made available to you to use with potential employers and students.
Thank you.
John
John Keckhaver
Youth Apprenticeship Section Chief
Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
Department of Workforce Development
201 E. Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
Ph: (608) 405-4085
John.keckhaver@dwd.wisconsin.gov