Middle School Career Exploration Begins

Middle school is a critical window for helping young people explore who they are and what’s possible for their future. 💡 And, since March is Middle Level Education Month (#MLEM), it's a perfect time to bring this conversation to the forefront. In my latest Forbes column, I share how states like Arizona, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Washington are coming together, through work convened by Education Strategy Group and Britebound, to strengthen career exploration in the middle grades and expand opportunity for students nationwide. Read more below, and stay tuned for more on this exciting initiative in the coming weeks! #careerexploration #careerreadiness #education #k12 #middleschool https://lnkd.in/eHjadVfp

When districts commit funding, staffing, and time to college and career readiness, students make the transition to their postsecondary journey feeling informed and empowered. The long term ROI for our communities is huge!

"Until college and career readiness is fully embedded into how schools are organized, funded and led, even the best-intentioned supports will continue to fall short of their potential and fail students who are trying to figure out what’s next. " https://lnkd.in/gpkEc-GZ

A recent opinion piece in The Hechinger Report looks at college and career readiness in the U.S., concluding that it’s often too fragmented, leaving students without clear, strategic guidance: https://loom.ly/V0RMddE. As Claire Fiddian-Green wrote in her IBJ Forefront column last year, #CEMETS #iLabIndiana is proposing a new career advising framework for Indiana – one that will ensure every student and adult receives customized, one-on-one career advising. Read more about the framework in the comments.

What if the bridge between high school and the workforce didn’t feel like a leap into the unknown? Hear from Adam Whalen and Misty Wharton, two Oregon education leaders helping reshape how students prepare for life after graduation. Often referred to as “career and college readiness,” this work is about much more than shop class or a checklist for graduation. It’s about building clear, relevant pathways that lead to living-wage careers and helping students discover what fits before they commit. https://lnkd.in/gbeVHhGE #proud2bnwresd #careerandcollegeready #careerandtechnicaleducation #CTE #careercollege

In Colorado, many students lack access to dual enrollment and career exploration opportunities. These gaps became even more urgent following the pandemic, increasing the risk of disengagement and dropout. The Pathways to Prosperity team is partnering with Colorado Succeeds, NORC at the University of Chicago, and 19 high schools to create college and career navigation courses that introduce career exploration and college preparation as early as grade 9. Students are now building the skills needed to succeed in dual enrollment and work-based learning experiences. Check out our piece to learn more about: • How the course connect to our Pathways to Prosperity framework • How teach buy-in is critical to success • What’s on the horizon for the CO high schools Follow the link to read the blog >> https://hubs.la/Q045WP350 #PathwaystoProsperity #TransformWorkandLearning #ReimagineEducation

College and career readiness should not be treated as an "add-on" or a nice-to-have, but instead as a core-systemic necessity. How can we make this shift? 🤔 According to this article in The Hechinger Report, we need to install systems that expand and diversify advising support, build measurable readiness goals into strategic plans, and connect students to real opportunities and outcomes beyond high school. Read it here. ➡️ https://bit.ly/4u7DZS9

What SEL Skills Do High School Graduates Need Most? School districts are focusing on communication, adaptability, and reflection - which are also the same skills employers frequently include in job postings. “Even interacting with a chatbot, you need to be able to articulate your question, what you want to know, and assess how well the outputs are that communicate that idea.” These skills are also developed at summer camp and after school! From making it through a multi-day Vagabond backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail to completing a team-building challenge, out-of-school time programs are just as important to whole child development and equipping young people to thrive. https://lnkd.in/gGA_zA4f

Community colleges don’t just help students earn degrees — they help students find direction. For many learners, the challenge isn’t choosing a major — it’s understanding what’s possible, how their interests connect to careers, and how to move forward with confidence. Community colleges are designed for that exploration, offering applied learning, career-aligned pathways, and the flexibility to change course without starting over. Degrees matter. But direction is what helps students persist, complete, and succeed long term. #StudentSuccess #CareerPathways #CareerReady #CollegeAccess #GuidedPathways

We’re giving middle school students high school work…without giving them a reason to care. In many schools, middle school students are •earning high school credits •taking dvanced coursework.... But here’s the gap: They don’t always see how this connects to their future. Not college. Not careers. Not even opportunities like scholarships. So motivation drops. Engagement feels forced. And potential goes untapped. But when students understand: 1. How their interests connect to real pathways 2. How their actions today impact opportunities later Everything shifts. They stop asking, “Why do I have to do this?” And start thinking, “How can I use this?” I’ve been helping schools bridge this gap with middle school students and families. If you’re curious what that looks like, comment MIDDLE SCHOOL and I’ll share more. #MiddleSchoolMatters #EducationLeadership #StudentSuccess #FutureReady #CollegeAndCareerReadiness