For students to successfully compete in the 21st century workforce, schools should prepare them to meet the demands of a dynamic and global job market, linking core knowledge with technical know-how, before they graduate. Integrating career curriculum into all grades and courses of study helps teachers to: (1) increase students' career awareness and exploration; (2) answer the question, "Why do I have to learn this?"; (3) provide for job shadowing experiences; and (4) give students tangible reasons to learn through effective instructional strategies. Barriers to integrating career education include these: (1) lack of time and space within school calendars; (2) no responsibilities removed from teachers' schedules. Integrating marketable workplace skills into a core curriculum is a way for educators to serve all students from those who work directly after high school graduation to the college bound. Career academies, college-prep with a career focus and partnerships with business, community and higher education are some ways to reform high schools. In order to create responsive schools, educators should communicate with other stakeholders such as school board members, community and state leaders, and the business community. An ongoing dialog among all those groups is necessary before innovative educational change can occur. (The bibliography lists 18 references.) (AJ)