CCRC recently conducted two major studies to shed light on the feasibility of implementing guided pathways reforms at scale and on the association between implementation and improvements in student outcomes. The first is an evaluation of the AACC Pathways Project, which involved 30 colleges from around the country that were committed to making…

Guided pathways is arguably the most widespread whole-college community college reform movement in decades. In this report, the authors present findings from a study on the scale of adoption of guided pathways practices across community and technical colleges in three states--Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington--where there are state-level efforts to…

Research generally finds that college students are more likely to complete a program of study if they choose a major that aligns with their interests and goals. Yet many new community college students do not have clear goals. Nearly 40% of community college students report being undecided about their major at the end of their first year (authors'…

This Special Report outlines state-level policy components that help ensure work-based learning opportunities for high school students are well-coordinated, broadly accessible, aligned to state or regional workforce demands, and of high quality.

Work-based learning faces significant changes in delivery in the face of a global pandemic that has severely limited physical access to schools and businesses. These changes have forced school leaders and employers to acknowledge pre-existing inequities that perpetuate historical barriers and racial discrimination and keep marginalized learner…

Vacation jobs often mix work and play. For some, the job is their ticket to career happiness. The article's first section describes four jobs specific to entertainment and leisure: (1) cruise ship musician; (2) destination marketing manager; (3) resort activities director; and (4) river rafting guide. The second section helps a person decide if a…

Districts face increasing pressure to improve students' mastery of curriculum in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Yet the number of students enrolling in science and math courses drops dramatically in middle and high school. At Sylvester Middle School, Chinook Middle School and Cascade Middle School of the…

A series of activities were undertaken to understand the underrepresentation of people with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers and increase their participation in these fields. "AccessSTEM" collaborated with key stakeholders to conduct a "Capacity-Building Institute"…

This study examined effects of participation in the Washington State Work Study program on students' career selection and full-time employment opportunities after graduation. The program provides financial assistance to needy students by stimulating and promoting their employment--as much as possible in jobs related to their academic pursuits or…

Every student in high school is faced with the question of what to do after graduation. American Indian students, whether on or off reservations, need ideas as to what is available to them. This compilation of interviews with 10 individuals who are maintaining their "Indian identity" and making contributions in the working world provides…

Instructional strategies, methods, and techniques of the National Institute of Education's Experience-Based Career Education Program (EBCE) can be successfully integrated into the existing high school program, as demonstrated by a project in the Bellevue, Washington, public schools. The two-and-one-half year project incorporated a career cluster…

Liberty High School's experimental project using correspondence courses to expand curriculum offerings, begun in 1977, increased vocational offerings from 12 to nearly 2,000 by 1979 and provided career exploration opportunities for its 187 students. All students and incoming freshmen for 1977-78 had an opportunity to select at least one…

The National School-to-Work Office in collaboration with the National Association for Gifted Children, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Association for the Gifted, and the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted have identified 11 gifted education/school-to-work (GT/STW) models that are either best practices or unique…

Describes a Vocational Exploration Program at the military base, Fort Lewis, in Tacoma, Washington, which provided opportunities for 20 young women to sample jobs formerly reserved for men. This program is sponsored jointly by the National Alliance of Business and the AFL-CIO and funded under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act. (MF)

An evaluation was conducted of the fourth year of Project Future, implemented in the Bremerton (Washington) School District. The project objective was to provide pilot class students at four grade levels (grades 3, 6, 9, and 12) with career education learning experiences which used commercial and teacher created classroom activities and materials,…