RE: Schools' Role in Workforce Preparation

I strongly support the concept of the State providing incentives for business and industry collaborations with schools to provide "real world" experiences for students in the form of internships, job shadowing, classes taught on-site, etc.  The modern world of manufacturing, for example, is very different from the stereotypes most students (and teachers) have.  It is an exciting, fast moving, complex and technologically sophisticated enterprise that could attract a greater number of motivated students if the students were  exposed to the opportunities.  California's Community Colleges are a natural coordinating body for a three way parntership between high schools/colleges/business & industry.  CCC's can organize and offer courses, internships, and other activities that introduce regional high school (and community college) students to regional business and industry.  The Master Plan should call for tax incentives or other statewide incentives to reach out to local community colleges and high schools to provide real school to work programs.