Extended learning opportunities (ELOs) give students the ability to connect their career goals with their education pathway. The individualized experiences enable students to build connections with their communities and explore personal interests throughout their high school career. These mostly off-campus connections cultivate students’ passions while nurturing the confidence and responsibility necessary for success after graduation.
The focus of this workshop is to reflect on possible processes for building and sustaining robust ELO programs in a variety of community settings. We will consider the strategies and tools used by an established program in central Maine in order to inspire educators to think creatively and build meaningful programs for their own student populations. Additionally, educators will share strategies for building a network of community partnerships, identifying meaningful options for students, and mentoring students through their ELO experience. Our ultimate goal is to inspire participants to effectively address students' unique learning needs, meet schools' curricular objectives, and fulfill communities' demand for a skilled workforce. By embracing this vision, we aim to make Extended Learning Opportunities a standard practice rather than an exception.
Participants will:
- Explore the definition of extended learning opportunities and their role in supporting student learning.
- Consider key benefits of ELOs for students, schools, and community partners in their own context.
