Paving the Road to College and Career Readiness

Creating, growing, and sustaining a successful college and career readiness culture in a school or district requires a comprehensive approach that addresses various key components. Here's a framework that can guide a school or district in implementing these ideas:

College and Career Readiness Framework:

1. Vision and Leadership

• Clear Vision: Establish a clear and shared vision for college and career readiness that aligns with the overall mission of the school or district.

• Strong Leadership: School and district leaders must champion the college and career readiness culture, providing consistent support, resources, and direction.

• Strategic Planning: Develop a long-term strategic plan that includes goals, timelines, and success metrics for college and career readiness initiatives.

2. Student-Centered Support

• Guidance and Counseling: Invest in a robust guidance program with counselors trained in both college admissions and career pathways. Ensure that students receive personalized support through one-on-one counseling, group workshops, and resources.

• Mentorship Programs: Establish mentorship programs that connect students with school staff, alumni, and industry professionals who can provide guidance and support.

• Academic and Social-Emotional Support: Offer tutoring, academic counseling, and social-emotional support services to address barriers to college and career success.

3. Curriculum and Instruction

• College-Ready Curriculum: Ensure that the school’s curriculum is rigorous and aligned with college and career standards. Provide advanced coursework, including AP, dual enrollment, and CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs.

• Career Pathways: Develop career pathways that integrate academic and technical skills, linking classroom instruction to real-world applications. Offer internships, apprenticeships, and job shadowing opportunities.

• Project-Based Learning: Incorporate project-based learning to enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills that are essential for college and career success.

4. Family and Community Engagement

• Parent Education and Involvement: Educate and engage parents on the college and career readiness process through workshops, webinars, and informational sessions in multiple languages.

• Community Partnerships: Form partnerships with local businesses, higher education institutions, and community organizations to provide students with exposure to career opportunities, college experiences, and resources.

• Alumni Networks: Build and maintain strong alumni networks to create role models for students and provide mentorship, internships, and career guidance.

5. College and Career Awareness and Exploration

• College and Career Days: Organize events such as college fairs, career days, and campus visits to expose students to different post-secondary options.

• Career Exploration: Introduce career exploration programs early in middle and high school that allow students to explore various fields through assessments, job shadowing, and guest speakers.

• College Application and Financial Aid Support: Provide hands-on assistance with the college application process, FAFSA, and scholarship applications. Ensure that every student understands the financial resources available to them.

6. Data-Driven Decision Making

• Track Student Progress: Use data to track student progress towards college and career readiness, including academic performance, attendance, and engagement in extracurricular activities. Regularly review and analyze this data to identify gaps and inform decisions.

• Evaluate Programs: Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of college and career readiness programs and initiatives, making adjustments as needed to ensure success.

• Set Benchmarks: Set clear, measurable benchmarks for student outcomes, such as graduation rates, college enrollment rates, and career certification attainment.

7. Professional Development

• Training for Staff: Provide ongoing professional development for teachers, counselors, and administrators focused on college and career readiness, including understanding new trends, tools, and strategies.

• Collaboration: Create opportunities for staff to collaborate and share best practices, both within the school and across the district.

• Industry Training: Partner with local industries to offer teachers real-world experiences that they can integrate into their teaching.

Implementation Model:

This model can be visualized as a layered pyramid, where each layer builds upon the previous one to create a strong, sustainable college and career readiness culture.

1. Foundation (Vision and Leadership): This forms the base of the pyramid, as effective leadership and a shared vision are the foundation for all other efforts.

2. Student-Centered Support: Personalized guidance and mentorship ensure that every student is supported on their journey to college and career readiness.

3. Curriculum and Instruction: A rigorous and relevant curriculum prepares students with the academic and technical skills they need.

4. Family and Community Engagement: Engaging families and the community creates a support system that extends beyond the school.

5. College and Career Awareness and Exploration: Exposure to post-secondary options helps students set goals and stay motivated.

6. Data-Driven Decision Making: Continuous use of data ensures that the school/district is on track to meet its goals and can adjust as necessary.

7. Professional Development: Ongoing training and collaboration equip staff with the tools and knowledge they need to guide students.

Sustainability Tips:

• Create a Culture of College and Career Readiness: Integrate college and career readiness into the school’s culture, making it a central focus for students, staff, and the community.

• Secure Funding: Identify and secure funding sources to support college and career readiness initiatives, such as grants, partnerships, and district funding.

• Celebrate Success: Regularly celebrate student achievements, whether it’s college acceptances, scholarships, internships, or certifications, to keep motivation high.

By following this framework, schools and districts can create a comprehensive, sustainable approach to college and career readiness that empowers students to succeed in both higher education and the workforce.

To create a school environment where college and career readiness is deeply embedded in the climate and culture, it is essential to focus on visibility, consistency, and alignment of practices across all stakeholders. Below is a reimagined framework emphasizing the role of school climate and culture, including what it looks and feels like, and a checklist for schools to assess and meet this ideal.

Developing a College and Career Readiness Culture:

1. School Climate and Culture

• Visible Commitment: College and career readiness is evident in the school’s physical environment. This includes:

  • Posters, Banners, and Murals: The school is decorated with visuals that promote college-going culture, career pathways, and success stories of alumni.

  • College and Career Corners: Dedicated spaces in classrooms, hallways, and common areas showcase college materials, career resources, and upcoming events (e.g., college fairs, job expos).

  • Staff Role Models: Teachers, counselors, and administrators openly discuss their own educational and career journeys, displaying college banners or certificates in their offices/classrooms.

• Daily Messaging: College and career readiness is embedded in the daily routines:

  • Morning Announcements: Include college and career trivia, upcoming deadlines, and inspirational messages about post-secondary success.

  • Classroom Integration: Teachers connect classroom content to real-world applications and career pathways, regularly discussing how academic skills translate to college and career readiness.

  • Celebration of Achievements: Regularly celebrate college acceptances, scholarships, career certifications, and student achievements through assemblies, newsletters, and social media.

• Shared Vision: Every student, from freshman to senior, understands the school’s vision of preparing all students for college and career success:

  • Unified Language: Teachers, staff, and students use consistent language around college and career readiness, with phrases like “When you go to college” and “What career path are you exploring?”

  • Peer Influence: Older students mentor younger students, sharing their own college and career exploration journeys, and reinforcing the school’s shared vision.

2. Consistent and Engaged Student Participation

• Student-Led Initiatives: Students are actively involved in promoting college and career readiness:

  • College and Career Clubs: Student organizations dedicated to college prep, career exploration, or specific industries host events, invite guest speakers, and organize field trips.

  • Student Ambassadors: Select students act as college and career ambassadors, providing peer-to-peer mentoring and leading college and career-related events.

  • Senior Spotlights: Highlighting seniors’ college acceptances and career plans on bulletin boards, social media, and newsletters promotes pride and inspires younger students.

3. Community and Family Engagement

• Visible Family Involvement: Families are engaged partners in the college and career readiness process:

  • Parent Workshops and Events: Schools regularly host workshops on college admissions, financial aid, and career pathways in multiple languages, with high parent attendance.

  • Open Communication: Families receive regular updates about college and career readiness events through newsletters, social media, and direct communication.

  • Community Partnerships: Local businesses, colleges, and organizations are actively involved in the school, offering internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs that students and families are aware of and utilize.

4. Data-Driven Visibility

• Public Data Boards: Schools prominently display data that shows their progress toward college and career readiness goals (e.g., graduation rates, college acceptance rates, career certification rates) to keep everyone focused on outcomes.

• Student Surveys: Regularly survey students about their college and career readiness experiences and use the data to adjust and enhance programming.

What It Looks and Feels Like:

• Visual Impact: As soon as you walk into the school, you see a college and career-focused environment. Hallways are filled with posters of universities, career pathways, success stories, and event flyers. Teachers have college pennants hanging in classrooms. The entire school visually communicates that college and career readiness is the norm.

• Consistent Messaging: In interviews, students consistently express the school's shared vision of college and career readiness. They can articulate what they are doing to prepare, what resources are available, and how their daily school life supports their future goals.

• Engaged Community: The school feels like a community hub, with frequent workshops, college and career fairs, and active participation from parents and local businesses. Students feel supported and encouraged by staff, peers, and families.

• Celebratory Atmosphere: The atmosphere is celebratory, with regular recognition of achievements related to college and career readiness. This creates an environment of motivation and pride.

College and Career Readiness Climate and Culture Checklist:

• Physical Environment:

  • Is the school decorated with college and career-related visuals (posters, banners, murals)?

  • Are there dedicated spaces (e.g., College Corner, Career Pathways display) that students can access for resources?

  • Do classrooms/offices display college or career-related items that connect staff with their educational or career paths?

• Daily Practices:

  • Are college and career readiness topics integrated into morning announcements?

  • Do teachers regularly connect their curriculum to real-world applications and career pathways?

  • Are student achievements related to college and career readiness celebrated publicly?

• Student Engagement:

  • Are there student-led initiatives (e.g., college clubs, student ambassadors) promoting college and career readiness?

  • Do students have regular opportunities to engage with college and career resources (e.g., fairs, guest speakers, field trips)?

• Community and Family Involvement:

  • Are parents actively involved in college and career readiness events and workshops?

  • Does the school communicate regularly with families about college and career opportunities?

  • Are there active partnerships with local businesses, colleges, and community organizations that provide real-world opportunities for students?

• Data Visibility:

  • Is data related to college and career readiness (e.g., college acceptance rates, internships) prominently displayed?

  • Are students regularly surveyed to assess their perceptions and experiences of college and career readiness at the school?

• Shared Vision:

  • When asked, can students articulate the school’s vision of college and career readiness?

  • Is there a consistent language and messaging across the school that emphasizes the importance of post-secondary success?

By consistently meeting the items on this checklist, schools can create a climate and culture where college and career readiness is not just a goal but a lived experience that is visible, celebrated, and deeply embedded in the daily life of students, staff, and the community.

Here’s a comprehensive list of valuable resources that schools can utilize to support college and career readiness. These resources cover college preparation, college applications, financial aid, and career exploration.

College Preparation Resources

1. College Board

   • Website: https://www.collegeboard.org

   • Purpose: Information on SAT, AP exams, college planning, and scholarship search.

2. ACT

   • Website: https://www.act.org

   • Purpose: Resources for ACT exam prep, college planning, and career readiness.

3. Khan Academy

   • Website: https://www.khanacademy.org

   • Purpose: Free SAT prep, AP course material, and personalized learning resources.

4. Gearing Up for College (Federal Student Aid)

   • Website: https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college

   • Purpose: Federal resources and guides to help students prepare for college.

5. NACAC College Admission Counseling

   • Website: https://www.nacacnet.org

   • Purpose: Resources for college counseling, fairs, and admissions information.

College Application Resources

1. Common App

   • Website: https://www.commonapp.org

   • Purpose: A platform for applying to multiple colleges through a single application.

2. Coalition for College

   • Website: https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org

   • Purpose: College application platform with resources for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.

3. College Navigator (National Center for Education Statistics)

   • Website: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator

   • Purpose: A searchable database of U.S. colleges, including program offerings, graduation rates, and tuition costs.

4. California Colleges (for California students)

   • Website: https://www.californiacolleges.edu

   • Purpose: Resources for college planning, applications, and financial aid specific to California students.

5. University of California Application (for UC system schools)

   • Website: https://apply.universityofcalifornia.edu

   • Purpose: Application portal for all University of California campuses.

6. CSU Apply (for California State Universities)

   • Website: https://www.calstate.edu/apply

   • Purpose: Application portal for California State University campuses.

Financial Aid Resources

1. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

   • Website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

   • Purpose: Official site to apply for federal student aid, including grants, loans, and work-study.

2. CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service)

   • Website: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org

   • Purpose: Application for non-federal financial aid provided by many colleges and scholarship programs.

3. Scholarships.com

   • Website: https://www.scholarships.com

   • Purpose: A free scholarship search engine and resource for financial aid information.

4. Fastweb

   • Website: https://www.fastweb.com

   • Purpose: Scholarship search platform, financial aid advice, and college resources.

5. California Dream Act (for California students)

   • Website: https://dream.csac.ca.gov

   • Purpose: Allows undocumented and nonresident students to apply for financial aid in California.

6. Pell Grants

   • Website: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell

   • Purpose: Information on Pell Grants, the largest federal grant program for low-income students.

Career Research and Exploration Resources

1. O*NET Online (Occupational Information Network)

   • Website: https://www.onetonline.org

   • Purpose: A detailed database of occupations, including skill requirements, salary information, and job outlook.

2. My Next Move

   • Website: https://www.mynextmove.org

   • Purpose: A career exploration tool that helps students find careers that match their interests.

3. Career OneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)

   • Website: https://www.careeronestop.org

   • Purpose: Career resources, job search tools, and information on training and education.

4. Roadtrip Nation

   • Website: https://roadtripnation.com

   • Purpose: Offers career exploration through interviews with professionals in various fields, plus free career-focused resources.

5. LinkedIn Learning

   • Website: https://www.linkedin.com/learning

   • Purpose: Online courses and professional development resources for skills in various industries.

6. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook

   • Website: https://www.bls.gov/ooh

   • Purpose: Information on hundreds of occupations, including growth projections and median salaries.

7. Career Technical Education (CTE)

   • Website: https://www.acteonline.org

   • Purpose: Resources and information on Career Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare students for high-demand careers.

8. Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)

   • Website: https://www.apprenticeship.gov

   • Purpose: Resources and opportunities for registered apprenticeships across industries.

General College and Career Readiness Resources

1. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)

   • Website: https://www.avid.org

   • Purpose: A college readiness system designed to increase school-wide learning and performance for students.

2. BigFuture by College Board

   • Website: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org

   • Purpose: College search, scholarship search, and career exploration tools for students.

3. Naviance

   • Website: https://www.naviance.com

   • Purpose: A comprehensive K-12 college and career readiness platform that aligns students’ strengths and interests to their postsecondary goals.

4. College Greenlight

   • Website: https://www.collegegreenlight.com

   • Purpose: A platform that connects underrepresented students with colleges and scholarships.

5. California Career Zone

   • Website: https://www.cacareerzone.org

   • Purpose: Career exploration and planning resources for California students.

6. EmpowerMe

   • Website: https://encourageme.com/

   • Purpose: College planning tools; Career exploration

By utilizing these resources, schools can provide students with the tools, information, and support they need to succeed in both college and career endeavors.

As a parent, you play an integral role in your child’s academic and social development. You lay the foundation for their future. If you’d like to learn more about how AVID can help your child thrive, please contact the AVID Coordinator at your child’s school. If AVID is not available in your district, you can contact us directly to learn more about what we offer.
Here are additional resources to help your child thrive in school, work, and life.
Parent Toolkit
NBC News Education Nation produces the Parent Toolkit, which includes information about almost every aspect of your child’s development, from early education to college and careers.
U.S Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education provides resources to help parents in various ways, covering early childhood education through paying for college. Get tips on helping students with homework, reading, and math.
National Education Association (NEA)
NEA offers tips on keeping kids curious, providing emotional support, partnering with teachers, and understanding education policy.
Federal Student Aid (FSA)
FSA gives parents the information to save for college, learn about financial aid, and help their children complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It also provides in-depth college and financial assistance resources in English and Spanish.
Big Future
The College Board’s Big Future is a free, comprehensive resource that helps students and parents make college planning easier. They provide parent action plans from middle school through each year of high school and information on financial aid.
Teaching Tolerance
Teaching Tolerance has published a parent’s guide to preventing and responding to prejudice.
Career Village
Career Village gives students access to career information and advice from professionals nationwide. Parents can direct their children here to help them become more career-ready.

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Pre-ACT

PSAT (10th grade)

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General College Prep:

• • Angela Lee Duckworth Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

  • Mark Salisbury The most straightforward way to bring down the cost of college 

  • David Kelley How to build your creative confidence 

  • Bill Gates A call to action: Rethink education 

  • Salman Khan How students are teaching themselves 

  • Carol Dweck The power of believing that you can grow 

  • Derek Sivers Keep your head down and keep moving forward 

  • Baratunde Thurston How to fail brilliantly 

  • Shawn Achor The happy secret to better work 

  • Kelly McGonigal The Willpower Instinct 

College Applications & Personal Statements:

• • Elizabeth Gilbert Your elusive creative work is already alive 

  • Po Bronson The kindergarten cure for adult mediocrity 

  • Julian Treasure How to use TED Talks (or any presentation) to move people 

  • Jamie Oliver Teach every child about food 

Financial Aid & Scholarships:

• • Meggie Palmer How to get a scholarship 

  • Jessica Jackley How to crowdfund your way to college 

  • Kenji Yoshino How to change the conversation about diversity and inclusion 

  • Monique Morris Embrace the messy middle, find your unexpected career 

  • Nicole Sullivan Why your voice matters 

Test Prep & Standardized Tests:

• • Sal Khan How the Khan Academy is changing education 

  • Jamil Zaki The war for kindness 

  • Ron Berger How to create a culture of thinking in your classroom 

  • Matt Cutts Try something new for 30 days 

College Life & Success:

• • Meg Jay Why 30 is not the new 20 

  • Elaine Welteroth How to speak your mind in a world that wants you to be quiet 

  • Celeste Headlee 10 ways to have a better conversation