A just-published study by the Rand Corporation discussed the current misalignment between students’ expectations and goals for career-connected learning and whether school are designed to meet them.
Surveys of district leaders, school leaders, and youth (American School District Panel, American School Leader Panel, and American Youth Panel) surfaced activities that included Career Exploration and Work-Based Learning were occurring, but students indicated the majority of those efforts pointed them toward four-year college degrees.
Other findings included:
- 40% starting post-high school planning late; 11th graders reported not having met with counselors by their Spring semester.
- While a high percentage of students expressed plans for work-based learning, only 1/3 to just over 1/2 actually secured internships, apprenticeships, or employer visits.
- Inconsistent tracking by schools of the postsecondary or workforce attainment rates of their graduates.
The report has a lot to offer for counselors coming alongside their students to support them in aligning education with future employment. Check out the full report: Preparing Students for What Comes Next: Educator and Student Perspectives on Career-Connected Learning in K-12 Schools.