Career Readiness

Lazaro Lopez, associate superintendent for teaching and learning at High School District 214, visits the manufacturing lab at Wheeling High School, where he talks with students and their instructor, in Wheeling, Ill., on Dec. 3, 2024.
Lazaro Lopez, the associate superintendent for teaching and learning at High School District 214, visits the manufacturing lab at Wheeling High School, where he talks with students and their instructor, in Wheeling, Ill., on Dec. 3, 2024. More districts are examining ways to create similarly aligned pathways of study that lead to strong work opportunities.
Jamie Kelter Davis for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Superintendents Develop New Strategies to Meet Evolving Workforce Needs
The Public Education Promise aims to help districts align their work with the needs of their communities.
Evie Blad, October 21, 2025
4 min read
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The Triple Promise of CTE: College, Career, and Life Preparation
CTE delivers on the triple promise of college, career, and life readiness—raising graduation rates to nearly 90% and preparing students w...
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A student works on a math problem during a 5th grade class at Lafargue Elementary School in Effie, Louisiana, on Friday, August 22. The state has implemented new professional development requirements for math teachers in grades 4-8 to help improve student achievement and address learning gaps.
A student works on a math problem during a 5th grade class at Lafargue Elementary School in Effie, Louisiana, on Friday, August 22. The state has implemented new professional development requirements for math teachers in grades 4-8 to help improve student achievement and address learning gaps. The Trump administration says it will prioritize grants that promote similar state-based math education efforts.
Kathleen Flynn for Education Week
Education Funding Math and Career Education Are Now Top Grant Priorities for Ed. Dept.
The announcement outlines what the administration plans to champion after canceling hundreds of grants in the past few weeks.
Sarah Schwartz, September 25, 2025
5 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Spotlight Spotlight on Rethinking High School: Integrating Career Prep & Academic Learning
This Spotlight will provide insights into real-world industry-focused learning that can help prepare students for the workforce.
September 19, 2025
Quinn, a 3rd grader, works on a lesson in the technology class at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024 in Baltimore, Md. The students coded small balls called "Sphero Minis" and used coding to direct them from house to house (or paper bag house to paper bag house) trick or treating.
Quinn, a 3rd grader, works on a lesson in a technology class at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024 in Baltimore, Md. The students coded small balls called "Sphero Minis" and used coding to direct them from paper bag house to paper bag house trick or treating. The rise of generative AI has started a discussion about whether learning to code is still important.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Artificial Intelligence AI Can Generate Code. Is That a Threat to Computer Science Education?
Some tech CEOs have claimed that learning to code won't be necessary. Computer science educators disagree.
Lauraine Langreo, September 12, 2025
6 min read
Lazaro Lopez, associate superintendent for teaching and learning at High School District 214, visits the manufacturing lab at Wheeling High School, where he talks with students and their instructor, in Wheeling, Ill., on Dec. 3, 2024.
The manufacturing lab at Wheeling High School in Wheeling, Ill., is pictured on Dec. 3, 2024. The Trump administration plans to scale back Biden-era rules to collect more data on career technical education programs.
Jamie Kelter Davis for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Trump Admin. Wants to Scale Back Data Collection on Career Technical Programs
The Trump administration wants to roll back Biden-era efforts to collect more information on states' CTE programs.
Sarah D. Sparks, August 28, 2025
4 min read
Students from Food and Finance high school serve foods during a summer block party outside the Barclays Center, Thursday, July. 11, 2024, in New York.
Students from Food and Finance High School serve foods during a summer block party outside the Barclays Center, July 11, 2024, in New York. Career-connected learning not only prepares students for future job prospects but also makes their K-12 experience relevant.
Jeenah Moon/AP
Professional Development Q&A Why Principals Are Essential in Connecting Classrooms to Careers
The NASSP launched a course that helps principals integrate relevant skills and career exposure into their existing curriculum.
Lauraine Langreo, August 21, 2025
4 min read
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From Classrooms to Careers: How Schools and Districts Can Prepare Students for a Changing Workforce
Learn how Alton High redesigned CTE pathways to align with academics, student interests, and workforce needs.
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How Are We Preparing Students for Evolving Career Paths?
Are you preparing students with the right skills? Join our webinar to learn how to foster adaptability & future-proof their careers.
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College & Workforce Readiness Spotlight Spotlight on Empowering Students For College and the Workforce
This Spotlight will help you discover approaches schools throughout the country use to expose students to career and technical pathways.
August 15, 2025
Warren County High School seniors Alex Yates, left, and David Romero work on an assembly line machine in a mechatronics class in McMinnville, Tenn. The technology skills they learn in the class help prepare them for jobs in the area’s booming automotive industry.
Warren County High School seniors Alex Yates, left, and David Romero work on an assembly line machine in a mechatronics class in McMinnville, Tenn. The technology skills they learn in the class help prepare them for jobs in the area’s booming automotive industry.
Joe Buglewicz for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Professional Learning Guide Your Guide to College & Workforce Readiness
Use this professional learning guide to help prepare students for higher-ed and future careers.
August 13, 2025
Image of  piggy bank and coins sitting on a book.
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College & Workforce Readiness Families Can Now Use College-Savings Plans for More Services
Families can now use 529 plans to pay for a broader array of K-12 expenses and career-prep programs.
Evie Blad, August 5, 2025
3 min read
Two young students examine specimens collected from pond water
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Strengthening STEM Education and Workforce Development in Rural America
When it comes to STEM education and workforce development, rural communities are often underserved, overlooked, and left out of the conversation entirely
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Principal Pierre Orbe interacts with students during summer internship programs at DeWitt Clinton High School on July 14, 2025 in New York City.
Principal Pierre Orbe interacts with students during summer internship programs at DeWitt Clinton High School on July 14, 2025, in New York City. The school prioritizes career pathways, which have helped boost the graduation and attendance rates.
Mostafa Bassim for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness How One School Turned Career Training Into a Turnaround Strategy
This high school was once slated for state takeover. Career pathways helped turn it around.
Elizabeth Heubeck, July 17, 2025
9 min read