Education to workforce pathways is a hot topic in education and an important part of every student’s learning journey. While some schools are taking innovative steps to connect students with real-world skills, most students are underserved in accessing the credentials, experiential learning and coherent transitions from K-12 into a career or postsecondary setting.
What do students and parents know about education to workforce pathways? Do students and parents have access to comprehensive information to make informed decisions? What questions should parents and students consider or ask as they move through their learning experience—and do the programs deliver on what’s promised?
With in-depth insights from more than 1,100 parents and young adults, Pathways Matter to Families contains data that may be helpful to policymakers and education leaders when considering the often-misaligned policies that serve neither students nor employers well. Based on feedback from those who directly access education to workforce programs—parents and young adults—these research findings can improve policies that support career preparation for all students, no matter what route their educational journey takes.
ExcelinEd also created a companion resource specifically to support families: Your Child’s Pathway Matters. Informed by the research findings, this guide helps parents and families identify what they need to help their child make informed, career pathway decisions—and to be successful along the way.
Both publications add to ExcelinEd’s Pathways Matter suite of research and resources that establish the first comprehensive learner-centered, education to workforce continuum for state policy. Charting a path to success for every child is this work’s ultimate goal.
