In today’s evolving job market, careers demand changing and expanding sets of knowledge and skills. Unfortunately, too many high school graduates find themselves without the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in college or the workforce. But, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Education to workforce pathways can empower students to learn authenticated in-demand skill sets that prepare them for growing mid- and high-wage careers. These pathways can prepare students for the careers of the future while ensuring quality, value, equity and access for all students.
College acceleration opportunities offer high school students the chance to prepare for college-level expectations while earning valuable college credit.
Best of all, the earned credit from opportunities like Advanced Placement (AP), Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), dual credit, early college high school and International Baccalaureate (IB) can reduce students’ time in achieving a postsecondary credential and make college more affordable for families.
However, these opportunities are still out of reach for many students or do not clearly fit into their career interests and pathways. But states can make policy changes to make every credit and learning opportunity count.
Quality career and technical education (CTE) programs can offer students a leg up in a promising career or a head start in postsecondary and career. But, unfortunately, not all CTE programs are high quality.
States dedicated to strengthening their CTE programs will set up their local economies, employers and students for long-term success.
As of 2019, there are 36 million Americans in the “Some College, No Degree” population—those with some postsecondary education and training but who haven’t completed their program and are no longer enrolled. State leaders can re-engage these learners by creating flexible new opportunities that help individuals complete college degrees and credentials.
Industry certifications are industry-recognized credentials with global portability and value that employers use to certify than an applicant is qualified for a job. Welding, information technology (CompTIA A+, CCNA, etc.), construction (carpentry, masonry, & electrical), are just a few examples of the vast number of industry certifications available. States can empower students to earn valuable, stackable industry certifications and enter the workforce ready to choose from good-paying, in-demand jobs.
Information technology (IT) and computer science (CS) learning opportunities are often limited or non-existent in K–12 education—explaining America’s longstanding unmet need for top talent in these fields. Yet students need opportunities to learn IT and CS knowledge and skills that sequentially build to a level of mastery and prepare them for college, careers and life. The following resource identifies steps businesses, education leaders and policymakers can take to improve these opportunities for all K-12 students.
Credentials Matter, a first-of-its-kind analysis, examines how the credentials students earn align with real-world employer demand. This project includes a unique online tool presenting the most extensive collection and analysis of supply, demand and alignment data of industry-recognized credentials earned in states.