3. Career Pathways For All Students
Presented by : James Lewis
Career & Technical Education Advisor
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Bureau of Career & Technical Education
Fifth Annual National Career Cluster Institute
PA Pathways
Ballroom E-F, 2:20 to 3:20 PM
June 12, 2007

4. Graduates need to be fully prepared to compete in a global economy
Need to increase the rigor and relevance of instruction
Need to streamline student pathways to postsecondary & career success

5. Career pathways help students plan their future
Students who experience education as a tool to build their future are likely to make the most of it
Effective learning communities release well-prepared graduates into the workforce

6. PA Career Education & Work Standards
Standards lay out the knowledge & skills students need to achieve career success
Students of all ages must maintain & practice these skills:
Career awareness & preparation
Career acquisition
Career retention & advancement
Entrepreneurship

7. How can schools implement the Career Education & Work Standards ?
Implement standards with existing disciplines
Implement stand-alone courses
Resources

8. Mobilizing guidance for college & career planning
Institute career pathways for all students
Establish career academies for all students
Implement peer student mentoring & teacher advising
Develop business & higher education partnerships
Facilitate educators in the workplace internships
Source : College & Career Counseling Program Grant (PDE-2006)

9. Career plan of study 16 National Career Clusters
81 National Career Pathways
Source: &
PA’s high priority occupations
Source:

10. PA’s high priority occupations
Definition: High priority occupations are defined as job categories that are in demand by employers, have higher skill needs, and are most likely to provide family sustaining wages.
Source: PA Dept. of Labor & Industry

11. Career pathways at their best
Include industry-recognized foundation knowledge and skills in each cluster curriculum
Meet and support Commonwealth academic standards & grade-level expectations
Provide direct support to students in developing career &educational plans
Provide opportunities for students to earn college credit while still in high school
Align with postsecondary programs of study

12. Career pathways at their best ( cont.)
Provide opportunities for out-of-school, hands-on learning experiences
Provide employment & entrepreneurial opportunities in chosen career clusters at multiple exits points
Maintain an ongoing dialogue among secondary, postsecondary & business partners
Reflect the economic development plans of the local and Commonwealth communities

13. Who wins with PA Career Pathways?
Career pathways will help educators teach, students succeed, business compete, & Pennsylvania thrive in the 21st Century.
Students win
Educators win
Parents win
Employers win
Communities win

14. Local career pathways practices
Lancaster School District
Secondary to postsecondary seamless transitions
Lehigh County
York County School of Technology
Workforce Investment Board Youth Council

15. Career Pathways Systemic Framework
Institutional & Instructional Transformation
Student Supports & Tools
Partnership Driven
Employer involvement
Continuous Improvement
Sustainability
Source: League for Innovation in the Community College ( 2007)