College & Career Readiness

How two new rules are reshaping career education

New gainful employment and financial value transparency rules pull back the curtain on college programs that promised life-changing opportunities

Why microcredentials rival degrees in new workforce innovation

Districts aiming to expand student outcomes beyond a degree can now steer students toward high-demand, flexible microcredential opportunities offered at the community college level.

“A District of Champions:” Balancing Career and College Readiness with Student Well-Being and Growth

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 3rd at 2 p.m. ET

Join NOLA Public Schools’ former superintendent and Duncanville ISD Superintendent for a 30-minute Ed Talk examining how visionary leadership advances college and career readiness by cultivating student motivation, academic rigor, and effective support structures.

Introducing a CTE program students really want to join

The Ogden School District is setting students up for employment within months after graduation. Here's how.

These trends are shaping college tuition and student aid

In 2025, more students are relying on federal aid. Researchers say it's a sign of progress in making college more affordable.

Why networking has become more valuable than a college degree

One-third of 2025 college graduates are unemployed and actively seeking work. Here's how college leaders can help.

Why career-connected learning is about more than jobs

Middle schoolers who participate in career-connected learning are more likely to be engaged at school and feel hopeful.

Expanding Access to the SAT: Practical Strategies to Strengthen College Readiness for All

Date & Time: Tuesday, October 21st at 1 p.m. ET

In this 30-minute Ed Talk, district leaders from Fort Bend ISD and Plano ISD will share how offering the SAT during the school day can level the playing field and how universal access to the SAT and PSAT-related assessments increases participation, strengthens instructional practices, and expands pathways to scholarships and college opportunities.

Colleges must show they don’t consider race in admissions

Colleges and universities must provide admissions data to show they are prioritizing test scores and academic achievements.

What Gen Z needs to know about non-college pathways

Gen Z students feel well-informed about four-year degrees and post-high school workforce options but know less about other non-college pathways, a new survey finds.

4 big reasons micro-credentials are off to a slow start

Interest in micro-credentials is high in K12 as leaders look for fresh ways to prepare students for post-graduation success.

Why high school graduates now need perspective on higher ed to enroll

The Class of 2024's decreasing interest in attending four-year colleges and universities may be stemming from a lack of career guidance, according to this survey.

Why these CEOs want states to require computer science in high school

Did you know that taking one high school computer science class could boost students' future wages by 8%? That's why more than 200 CEOs are calling for new requirements.

FETC puts new CTE advancements in the spotlight

Texas' Forney ISD has crossed a new CTE frontier and its scope—and its 7,900-seat arena—may come as a big surprise.

Reasons high school graduation numbers will decline

By 2041, high school graduation numbers will decrease by 13%, exacerbating the pressures felt by colleges as they brace for an enrollment cliff.

Career exploration: How Washington schools are setting the course

New initiative allows districts to bridge the gaps in access to career exploration that aligns with student aspirations and meet the state's workforce needs.

TikTok teens are choosing colleges based on which campus offers the best video background

How did you pick a college: the academics, the cost, the campus? For today’s high schoolers, a new metric has entered the chat—how the college will look on TikTok.

Why early decision can be a college access equalizer

As concerns about minority enrollment at elite universities like Harvard and MIT grow following the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action in college admissions, applying early decision to college can be a vehicle to sustain or potentially even increase minority enrollment.

How to integrate English training to unlock workforce potential

English learners are projected to make up at least 20% of the American workforce by 2025. And by 2027, a staggering 70% of jobs will require education beyond a high school diploma.

Reimagining Advanced Learning to Increase Equity and College Readiness

Date & Time: Wednesday, December 11 at 3 p.m. ET

In this Ed Talk, San Jose USD's superintendent will discuss her district’s strategies to expose a wider range of students to advanced coursework so they can develop the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in high school, college, and their career. Also, learn about the latest AP research and best practices from a former assistant superintendent and high school principal now at the non-profit College Board.

***Attendees will receive a series of resources to help support starting or expanding their AP Program and help all their students understand the value of taking AP.

These 15 states have the highest dual enrollment numbers. Why is this important?

Texas had nearly twice the number of dual-enrolled students in fall 2015 compared to the second-most, New York, according to new research from the Community College Research Center. But how did their completion rates fare?

ACT scores are still declining, new data shows

In the last five years, average composite ACT scores nationwide were the lowest among the 2024 graduating class at 19.4.

Full Fleet Electrification: How Steelton-Highspire’s Success Paves the Way for K-12 Districts

Date & Time: Tuesday, November 19 at 2 p.m. ET

In this Ed Talk, Superintendent Dr. Mick Iskric will discuss his district's journey to embrace electric buses to reduce long-term costs. He will be joined by Kevin King, Head of Electrification at First Student, who will explain how a flexible, rapid-deployment charging infrastructure helped Steelton-Highspire make electrification feasible and cost-effective, providing a blueprint for other districts facing similar challenges.

Confidence in college: Has it collapsed? Better think again

Americans have completely lost confidence in college. That's the common narrative in a seemingly never-ending scroll of media reports and surveys raising the alarms about falling enrollment and political controversies on campus.

Here are 5 keys for student success beyond high school

Recent history shows us that a concerted nationwide effort can improve students’ outcomes, such as the gains made in high school graduation rates over the past 20 years.

How politics are shaping high schoolers’ college choices

The political makeup of a college can determine your graduates' college choice. Here's how to guide them on their search.

Creating Learner Mobility Models for Students and Families in K-12 and Beyond

Date & Time: Thursday, October 24th at 2 pm ET

In this webinar, an assistant superintendent shares how Harnett County Schools creates and promotes lifelong learning for students in his district and after they graduate through family engagement, efficient administrative processes, higher ed and workforce collaborations, and information students can access after graduating.

***Attendees will be able to safely download resources about records, enrollment, and credential management tools from Scribbles Software and Parchment, an Instructure Company.

The Safety Cycle: Ensuring the Safety of Students from A to B and Back Again

Date & Time: Monday, October 21 at 2 p.m. ET

In this webinar, gain a fresh perspective on how to ensure the safety of your students while they're in transit beyond the safety features that have been installed on their buses. Learn proactive approaches and immediate steps to react quickly and effectively when the unexpected happens.

What will high school grads pursue if not college?

While 43% of Gen Zers would like to pursue options aside from a college degree, many of them don't have a clear picture of their postsecondary aspirations.

Micro-credentials have a place in K12. Here’s how to get started.

Micro-credentials can be awarded long before a student reaches college. In fact, they're a great way for leaders to ensure historically marginalized students earn employable skills and prerequisites.

Portrait of a graduate: 3 characteristics of a powerful tool

In the latest "Talking Out of School" podcast, an expert guides district leaders in developing a portrait of a graduate that offers students more more meaningful learning and durable skills.

Do college degrees lead to better jobs? Typically, yes

Although students' perspectives of college have changed, new research affirms that a bachelor's degree will be the best route to a good job by 2031.

CTE surge: Sixth grade is never too early for welding!

Michigan's Orchard View Pubic Schools is boosting engagement by sending sixth-graders to a local career tech center to begin exploring—and experiencing—a wide range of potential careers. 

Reimagining transportation: 3 ways to conquer chronic absenteeism

While potential solutions to the absenteeism crisis are varying and complex, perhaps the most basic is optimizing the way we get kids to and from school.

TGIF time-saver: More buses are going green; team teaching endorsed

New this week: Uvalde families of victims agreed on a $2 million settlement with the city, districts are getting major bus upgrades and team-based teaching might be the solution to shortages.