Last year, USD 202 received a $330,000 Real World Learning Implementation Grant from the Kauffman Foundation, designed to expand access to internships, apprenticeships, career shadowing, and other hands-on learning opportunities that help students earn Market Value Assets - experiences and credentials related to skills they’ll need post-graduation.

As year one of the three-year grant ends, we’re reflecting on the progress made. The momentum for this initiative is building, and students are already beginning to experience positive impacts.

Dr. Frankie Lizar, who serves as both the Principal of Journey School of Choice and the district’s Real World Learning Coordinator, shared that the first year focused on laying the groundwork.

“We’ve gained valuable insights into the opportunities that already exist within our community,” said Lizar. “Now, the real work begins—developing, expanding, marketing, and growing these opportunities to their fullest potential.”

Some of the year’s highlights include:

• A stronger partnership with the Wyandotte County Workforce to offer youth apprenticeship programs
• Increased enrollment in the KCKCC Technical Education Center (TEC) programs, helping students build in-demand job skills before graduation
• Expansion of professional learning for teachers and staff through the Kauffman Foundation, Kansas Department of Education, and AVID—equipping educators with tools to better guide students toward career-aligned goals.

One standout success has been the WyCo Cadet Program, which just completed its second year. The program places second-semester seniors in paid cadet roles within the Sheriff’s Office corrections department, offering them school credit, uniforms, transportation, and direct work experience with local government.

“It’s more than a job,” said Lizar. “It’s a meaningful way for students to give back to their community and prepare for careers in public safety.”

In April, two Turner High School Real World Learning Ambassadors—along with high school teachers, instructional leaders, counselors, and administrators—attended the Kauffman Real World Learning Summit. The event brought together education leaders from across the region to identify common challenges and collaborate on strategies for expanding career-connected learning.

“The Real World Learning Summit was a great opportunity for our district to learn from others while also having time to reflect upon our RWL efforts and set goals for the future with our RWL endeavors. Hearing from our students was a highlight and provided a unique perspective that will hopefully help our student voice continue to grow in coming years,” said Nicole McDowell, THS Secondary Intervention Coordinator.

With more partnerships being developed and programs growing in visibility and impact, year two of the grant promises to bring even more opportunities for USD 202 students to explore their futures.

As Lizar shared, “We’re helping students not only dream about what’s possible—but actually experience it.”