Resources

South Carolina: Education and Economic Development Act

  • Policy
June 2016 —

South Carolina’s Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA), passed in 2005, requires every high school student to declare a "major" aligned with a Career Cluster, and every district to offer a standards-based academic curriculum organized around Career Clusters.

The Path Least Taken III: Rigor and Focus in High School Pays Dividends in the Future

  • Research/ Report
June 2016 —

This report from CPE, the third installment in the "Path Least Taken" series, explores the social and economic benefits of a rigorous high school education.

Career Readiness and CTE in a Post-NCLB World

  • Guide/Tool
June 2016 —

This policy brief from NASBE takes an introductory look at CTE policy across the states, highlighting opportunities in federal laws such as ESSA and Perkins, and providing examples of successful CTE programs in Kentucky, Tennessee and California.

Tennessee: Tennessee Promise

  • Policy
June 2016 —

Tennessee Promise provides up to two free years of community college at any of the state’s 13 community colleges or 27 Colleges of Applied Technology in addition to learner supports and mentors that help high school students throughout the college application process.

Arkansas: College and Career Coaches

  • Policy
June 2016 —

The Arkansas College and Career Coach program provides career counseling, financial guidance, and college and career supports to 7th-12th grade students in the state. The program reaches three out of every four students and has contributed to an increase in college-going rates. 

New Hampshire: Statewide Competency-Based Education

  • Policy
June 2016 —

New Hampshire has a statewide competency-based education and assessment system, requiring all students to complete competency-based pathways to graduate and demonstrate their mastery of knowledge and skills, rather than just accumulate credits based on seat time.

Florida: Career and Professional Education Act (CAPE)

  • Policy
June 2016 —

Florida’s CAPE Act, initially passed in 2007, models how states can engage with industry and define quality industry certification standards for secondary and postsecondary students.

Illinois: STEM Learning Exchanges

  • Policy
June 2016 —

The Illinois STEM Learning Exchanges, and the way the partnerships were developed and implemented, model how a state can effectively engage the private sector to improve the quality of its career pathways.