Educators enter the profession with the passion to help all their students succeed. Still, as students get into middle and high school, their education becomes more specialized, tracked, and siloed–which creates inequitable learning opportunities. This disparity in education is not just the difference between “regular” and “AP” courses. Educational disparity is most prominent when we see students either choosing career technical education, for those who are going straight into a career after high school; or traditional education, often reserved for students who plan to attend college post-graduation.  

Unfortunately, this educational divide undermines the students who are planning to enter the workforce immediately post-high school. Students who are in more traditional academic tracks are also missing out on vital career-related education that they may not receive until they’re actually on the job – far too late for most students to be truly successful at the beginning of their careers, or even at the beginning of college. In fact, 89% of high school teachers think their seniors are “ready” for college, while just 26% of post-secondary faculty agree.¹ And the gap gets even worse as those college graduates enter the working world, with 96% of higher ed CAOs feeling that their graduates have the skills needed to succeed in the business world – while only 11% of business leaders agree.²

By siloing students into either a career-oriented track, or a college-oriented track, both sets of students are losing out on valuable education. It is impossible to have these students receive equitable learning by continuing to separate these two equally important and equally valid tracks. 

Keeping all students on the same path together, without losing out on either traditional academic knowledge or career oriented training, is possible – and simple – by implementing a career-connected learning curriculum. Career-connected learning integrates tangible career skills into math curriculum so students can see why they are learning what they’re learning, and how it applies to real world skills that students will need. Career education is integrated seamlessly into traditional academic education, so all students are able to succeed in their given path – while also being exposed to different paths. 

There are many students who don’t see themselves fitting into the mold of a “traditional learner,” or who simply can’t see the point of learning algebra if they don’t plan to attend college. For many of these students who don’t see themselves on the college path, this may be because it is not a family expectation that they go to college – directly entering the workforce is what is expected of them. However, most high-paying jobs require higher education and training beyond a high school diploma (Alliance for Excellent Education) – by not attending college, entire job categories become inaccessible for these students, and inequity grows throughout generations. And by segregating career education from traditional academics, we risk alienating an entire category of students from potentially seeing themselves as college graduates, and ultimately attaining career success beyond what they or their families had expected. By being in the same classes as their college-bound peers, these students are exposed to career and educational opportunities they may not have known existed for them.  

Career oriented students aren’t the only students who benefit greatly from career-connected learning – students who are confident that they will attend college also greatly benefit from this revolutionary curriculum. Even the most academically minded students may not know exactly what they want to do with their lives, and being able to explore different careers and pathways to get to those careers that they may not have known about is invaluable. 

By linking academics with career readiness, all students are given the same opportunity to reach the same academic standards while creating excitement for their future careers. Pathway2Careers (P2C) provides a career-connected learning curriculum that helps students understand how deep mathematical concepts will be relevant to a wide range of career opportunities, creating both engagement for their high school math class and excitement for their future. 

Implementing the P2C curriculum not only helps to increase equity for all students in the school, but it is also an easy switch for educators. The curriculum meets all standards and is accessible to all students, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, region, or whether their career preparation involves college or going straight into the workforce. 

Ultimately, to attain equity for all students, educators need to make sure all students are receiving the same quality education – regardless of their plans post-graduation. By implementing career-connected learning with P2C, educators can enhance equity in their schools and ensure all students are given the opportunity for the same academic and career readiness. Equity post-graduation becomes a greater possibility when education in school becomes more equitable.

Sources

¹ American Higher Education Alliance. The Distinct Connection Between Higher Education And Workforce Readiness. July 24, 2020

² American Higher Education Alliance. The Distinct Connection Between Higher Education And Workforce Readiness. July 24, 2020