Release: #06-66
June 8, 2006

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today launched two new education resources designed to teach students career self-management skills. 

"California CareerZone and The Real Game California are wonderful hands-on programs that give students opportunities to assess their own skills and determine the type of jobs they want in the future," said O'Connell. "These resources also give students a realistic look into the amount of education they will need to get their ideal jobs and help them realize they need to meet California's rigorous academic standards."

California CareerZone is an interactive career exploration and planning Web site system designed especially for students but may also be used by adults. Users are prompted to complete one of three self-assessment exercises. The Web site will then produce a list of potential jobs from a database of 900 occupations with information on wages, worker attributes, job characteristics, and links to 300 videos that give users a snapshot of the featured occupation. There are also links to actual job openings. California CareerZone also provides users a budgeting Reality Check option that will help them assess how much education they need to get a good job, and how much money they will need to earn to live well. 

The Real Game California is a career-development curriculum that offers hands-on role simulations in the classroom where students learn self-management, decision making, and the relevance between their education and real jobs. The curriculum is aligned to California's content standards, future content standards for adult literacy and lifelong learning, career technical educational standards, and other national guidelines.  Schools can access The Real Game California curriculum through the California Career Resource Network (CalCRN). 

The California Department of Education (CDE) is a member an interagency committee that advises CalCRN. The California state agency is designed to support career guidance and academic counseling programs, and to promote improved career and education decisions.  Beginning in the fiscal year 2006-07, CalCRN will receive state and federal funds through an interagency agreement with the CDE.  For more information about the CalCRN and The Real Game California, please visit California Career Resource Network (CalCRN) [http://www.californiacareers.info] (Outside Source).

California CareerZone was developed by CalCRN, the CDE, and the Employment Development Division. The Web site is funded in part by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act and the CDE. For more information, please visit California CareerZone [http://www.CACareerZone.org] (Outside Source).