Reimagining the Work Study/Release Program at Forest Hills to Increase Appeal for Students a Stakeholder's Perspective

Academic programs at the high school level need to be data-driven. A work study/release program is no exception to this premise. The Forest Hills School District recognized a need to evaluate and examine the effectiveness of the work study/release program at the Junior-Senior High School. Stakeholders were asked to complete a perception survey in order for the researcher to gain insight as to the various stakeholder’s perceptions of the current program. Four groups were surveyed: parents, staff, employers, and former students that had participated in the work study/release program while enrolled at Forest Hills. The data was analyzed through qualitative means to identify common themes and trends in the stakeholder’s perceptions. An action plan was developed with the goal of making the work study/release program more appealing for the students at Forest Hills. A focus on increased communication, skill acquisition and gaining work experience, and pre-program training for all stakeholders, developed from the analysis of the perception data.