Abstract
The main objective of this study is to examine the background, purposes and criticisms of the School-to-Work Opportunities System. This system aims to help U.S. high school students who are not bound for college make a smooth transition from high school to the workplace and offers opportunities for all students to participate in a performance-based education and training program that will enable the students to work as apprentices in industries while attending high school part time, eventually receiving high school diplomas and portable credentials. This is one of several Clinton administration's initiatives designed to improve student performance and raise the skills of U.S. workers. This system is founded in the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. This act, enacted in May 1994, authorizes $300 million in fiscal 1995 for federal grants to states, which can use the money to establish job training programs, apprenticeships and vocational education systems. This essay, first, explains the outline and legislation process of the system. Secondly, the authors try to examine its background and purposes. Special focus is placed on the poor economic condition of the American youth and changing American labor market. The authors also delineate the purposes of the system. Then this essay discusses criticisms of the system. Some critics, such as Senator Kassebaum, question the need for the legislation, the prospected co-operation of the business world and of labor organizations, and the collaboration of the Education and Labor departments. We think it will take more than a decade to evaluate the effectiveness of this system.
