Postsecondary/College and Career Readiness

Thesis Statement

CTE Programs, responsible for preparing students with knowledge and training for their futures, can have a maximized impact should students gain an accurate and positive understanding of CTE. In order to do so, our plan is twofold: remove the confusion around these programs and promote the benefits of CTE classes.

CTE Awareness

Quotes from students:

“Why would I join a CTSO when I could get a job?”
“I want my time in high school to add up to more than just a degree; I want it to prepare me for my future.”
“I think it would be hard to cater to the interests of every student but it would be cool if school could.”
“I would rather take a class where like colleges would care. Like AP Bio over some random science class.”
“I like my CTE class! I’ve learned a lot about something I’m interested in and plan to go into it after high school.”
*Students interviewed include a student not in a CTE class, one in an Agricultural Class, another in Accounting, and another in nursing

Survey: https://bit.ly/2Cv7tBa

Promoting Benefits of CTE Classes

Naperville North High School - Model of Transitional Math

Business Precalculus

This course is designed for students planning to study business in college. A heavy emphasis is placed on the analysis of functions (application and theory) which includes polynomial, rational, piecewise, exponential and logarithmic. Other topics include matrices, graphing of functions, sequences, series, and business applications. The second semester of this course is devoted to the study of statistics and business applications. A graphing calculator is required. Minimum prerequisite is Algebra 2 with a C or better, or Algebra 2 Core with a B or better.

Level: 11,12

Full Year Course

Credit: 1.0

Pre Requisite: Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 Core

Blended Business Precalculus

Level: 11,12

Full Year Course

Credit: 1.0

Pre Requisite: Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 Core

Benefits of transitional math courses:

College credit (saves money)
Applying abstract theorems to concrete careers and skills

Helpful Links

College and Career Readiness:

Every student throughout the United States, and Illinois, need the fundamental knowledge. To obtain this, every student needs to continue their education after high school. This includes going straight to the workforce and gaining workforce training, going into vocational schools to gain knowledge to open up opportunities for specific, or going onto a college or university. Any way that students gain knowledge, it helps prepare them for their college readiness and post secondary life.
- With the reauthorization of ESSA in Illinois, it allows students in the State of Illinois to have a equal opportunity for all students. “The Illinois ESSA Plan represents the belief of ISBE and our stakeholders that the students with the greatest needs deserve the greatest share of our public education resources.”
  - https://www.isbe.net/essa
- Educational Quality through Innovation Partnerships (EQUIP), is an experiment authorized from the U.S. Department of Education, allows for flexibility to wave regulatory requirements associated with student aid, in order to make the school more accessible in order to make the job for educational solutions done. “Through the EQUIP experiment, students will be allowed, for the first time, to use federal student aid to enroll in programs offered by innovative, nontraditional education providers that are partnering with accredited colleges or universities.”
  - https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/expanding-pathways-success-after-high-school-us-department-education-approves-first-innovative-equip-experiment
There are many things that help prepare students for the life after high school
- Academic college preparation, emotional college readiness, social skills are all things that help prepare students for college and further education
  - https://realitychangers.org/blog/2017/04/college-readiness-importance-preparing-college-high-school/
Students can help themselves to be advanced into the admission process
- Take college prep classes, give back to the community will help streamline the process of applying for college. Other things like common applications will help students with filling out applications to things like college, work, and scholarships.
  - https://realitychangers.org/blog/2017/04/college-readiness-importance-preparing-college-high-school/
Teaching students about college and careers is a vital step in preparing students, and it is often not followed through much past the beginning stage.
- Resources for students to help prepare themselves for college:
  - The Importance of Career Readiness in Schools
    - From Hanover Research Company
      - https://www.hanoverresearch.com/insights-blog/why-college-and-career-readiness-is-an-integral-component-of-k-12-education/
    - From the the US Chambers Foundation
      - https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/blog/post/importance-career-readiness-and-authentic-business-engagement
- Resources to help students be prepared for careers
  - Ways to prepare students for careers
    - From the National Association of Colleges and Employers
      - http://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined/
    - From Career Vision
      - https://careervision.org/four-keys-college-career-readiness-2/