We are conducting three-year evaluations of two Bridge-to-Employment programs (sponsored by Johnson & Johnson).

1. San Juan: This middle-school program offers viable alternatives to street life by providing structured school-to-work experiences in healthcare and counseling support.

2. Miami: In conjunction with Cordis Corporation, this high school program provides biomedical technology curriculum and career worksite experience for juniors and seniors.

IWC has been conducting this workshop around the state to assist HSTW sites in using their 1998 HSTW Assessment data for school improvement.

IWC is collecting annual Tech Prep data from the 28 Consortia on their activities, successes and student participation.

IWC is conducting the first comprehensive study of employer participation in Florida STW initatives. The study will provide information on:

• characteristics of Florida employers participating in STW
• distribution of employer STW activities
• factors influencing participation
• employer perceptions of the quality of their partnerships with schools

The study's results will provide guidance to both policymakers and program staff on how to strengthen employer STW participation and partnerships with schools.

The IWC is studying the feasibility of establishing a private transportation system that would provide transportation to work for WAGES (Work and Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency) customers living in Monroe County and in selected areas of south Miami-Dade County. The study will also determine the feasibility of establishing an ownership structure that would allow WAGES customers to own and operate a transportation system to serve their specific needs.

1. In June 98, IWC conducted a study of selected STW states and made recommendations about which implementation strategies support long-term STW sustainability.

2. In July 99, IWC conducted a survey of a cross-section of people involved in the Hawai'i STW initiative. The purpose was to determine the perceived importance and level of extent of Hawai'i's implementation strategies with respect to the initiative's long-term sustainability.

IWC conducted a professional development needs assessment of Florida's 28 Tech Prep regions to determine learning needs of teachers, school administrators, and business/industry.

1. Staff presented a workshop at the annual High Schools That Work Staff Development Conference in Atlanta on how to use assessment data.

2. IWC also analyzed Florida's '98 HSTW Assessment results.

IWC collected, analyzed and reported on 97-98 Florida STW Progress Measures data. The data is now being used by the state's STW Leadership Team.

We completed a third-party evaluation of a local mentorship program for high school students interested in a career in the visual arts.

IWC organized a two-day showcase of Florida's best STW practices in Orlando, Fl.

Staff presented workshops in Spanish on strategic planning and internal evaluation for newly created local STW partnerships.

We completed a Site Visit Protocol (manual) to guide the site visit evaluations of Louisiana's local STW implementation sites.