Infrastructure to Support College and Career Readiness

Students and educators suggest integrating and safeguarding time in the curriculum that is dedicated to college and career readiness programming and that provides students with access to resources that they would not otherwise access on their own (e.g., SAT/ACT fee waivers, college application assistance, college field trips).

School communities express a need for a more structured curriculum that provides teachers and counselors with tools and materials to guide students through the process of deciding their next steps beyond high school and includes visits from college representatives, support with college and financial aid applications, and awareness of scholarship opportunities.

When considering what to do after graduating, students value access to work-based learning opportunities that expose them to possible career paths.

Districts and schools can partner with local businesses and community organizations to introduce students to professions they might like to explore. Schools can increase hands-on career exposure for students by expanding career technical education (CTE) and job training programs, as well as partnering with community members to offer mentorship and job shadowing opportunities.

Many students request that schools provide real-world learning opportunities where they can apply their skills to situations outside the classroom. Students want to graduate feeling prepared to be on their own, with financial literacy skills to help them manage their own money, soft skills to use in the workplace, familiarity with local laws and regulations, and household management skills.

Some students want the opportunity to begin preparing for their chosen paths through more advanced course offerings. For example, success with Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment (earning high school and college credit at the same time) courses provide students with the opportunity to waive introductory college courses, saving them time and money at college or university, and or making it possible to take more courses of interest.

Although counselors have the necessary information to help students succeed, they typically do not have bandwidth to meet consistently with each student individually to discuss their plans. Acknowledging the role college counselors play in helping students develop postsecondary plans, school community members emphasize the need to increase the number of counselors on each high school campus.

Schools can also hold more group sessions where counselors provide resources to multiple students and their families to help them build an informed roadmap as students decide on their paths after graduation. Additionally, many students and their families suggest hosting informational sessions as early as middle school.