Career-Connected Learning Drives Reimagination of Secondary Education
The way we think about preparing young people for life after high school is changing. Instead of focusing solely on college or jumping straight into a job, more districts are embracing approaches that prepare students for both. The number of different routes students are taking to college and career continues to increase, and a comprehensive approach to postsecondary readiness must account for a variety of potential pathways.
Career-Connected Learning vs. Career and Technical Education
Traditional vocational and training programs evolved into Career and Technical Education (CTE) two decades ago. Although this led to some expansion in focus and availability, CTE programs are still often promoted only to some students, and particularly a segment of students who are considered to be on a “non-college” track.
Now, the broader and increasingly accepted term, Career-Connected Learning (CCL), includes both CTE and career pathways and features an expanded focus and reach shaped by growing evidence of improved academic outcomes. The goal of CCL is to enable all students to graduate both college- and career-ready. Importantly, building quality CCL programs is an objective for all members of a district’s leadership team—not only the CTE directors who traditionally oversee such programs, but also superintendents, curriculum directors, principals, and other leaders responsible for overseeing teaching and learning. Backed by research, CCL is increasingly gaining traction because it reflects and responds to the real-world needs of today's students, as well as the evolving demands of the job market.
The Importance and Urgency of Career-Connected Learning: "Why?" and "Why Now?"
For too long, CTE was treated as vocational or non-academic. It was seen as a fallback for students who weren’t college-bound. But those days are over. A broad consensus is beginning to emerge: all students deserve access to high-quality CTE, and it should be viewed as a crucial framework that prepares learners for both higher education and the workforce.
During a recent Edmentum webinar, Deb Delisle, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education and State Superintendent of Schools for Ohio, emphasized that a focus on career-connected learning for all is really about expanding economic mobility. She pointed out that too many students graduate without a clear sense of direction, and that CCL can play a vital role in helping them identify their interests and skills and then connect those to meaningful career paths.
This shift is visible in the data, too. According to an Advance CTE report, in 2024 alone, 40 states enacted more than 150 policies to enhance career readiness and accessibility, the most since 2019. These changes reflect a growing recognition that our traditional education systems haven't kept up with modern student needs or job market demands.
Consider the powerful example shared by Edmentum’s CEO Jamie Candee during the same webinar: a student who was nearly expelled because he’d missed so much school found purpose in forensic science and criminal justice courses. That coursework turned into motivation, and graduation became a stepping stone to a career—not just a school requirement. Stories like these illustrate the impact of exposure to hands-on, relevant learning opportunities.
States like Indiana and Maryland are transforming accountability systems to include career learning experiences as graduation requirements. Maryland is going a step further: by 2030, all high school graduates must earn an industry-recognized credential or complete a registered apprenticeship. These forward-thinking policy decisions signal a big shift in what it means to be "ready" for life after high school.
There’s a certain urgency here, too, given that the workforce is undergoing a "silver tsunami," as veteran employees retire in droves. Because in the process, they’re taking decades of institutional knowledge with them.
Schools are forming partnerships to bridge this gap. Students are not just learning about careers, they’re also experiencing them firsthand, from internships and job shadowing to building homes through Habitat for Humanity and participating in career-themed academies.
Postsecondary Readiness Means College and Career
As Tim Taylor, co-founder and president of America Succeeds, puts it, technical skills alone are no longer sufficient for jobs. His organization analyzed 88 million job descriptions and found that eight of the top 10 most in-demand skills are "durable skills" like critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.
These skills often develop through real-world experiences, project-based learning, and student-led initiatives. Knowing the answers isn’t enough. Students need to apply their knowledge in authentic settings and learn what it means to function as capable, responsible adults.
Donald Fennoy II, former superintendent of the School District of Palm Beach County, says career-connected learning goes beyond job training. It helps students learn how to interact with others, take responsibility, and gain real-world experience that prepares them for both work and life. He also stresses the need for strong partnerships with business and industry, since schools often can’t update curriculum fast enough on their own. For Fennoy, this kind of learning gives students the practical skills and global perspective they need to succeed.
Research from the CTE Research Network reinforces this. Over two decades of studies show that students who engage in high-quality CTE are more likely to complete high school, enroll in two- or four-year colleges, earn industry credentials, and secure employment with higher wages.
Rather than channeling students into narrow career tracks, we can instead empower them with skills that support multiple pathways: college enrollment, meaningful employment, or even military enlistment, as seen in Virginia’s 3E accountability framework (Enrollment in post-secondary institutions, Employment, and Enlistment in the military).
Indeed, it’s time for the whole concept of postsecondary readiness to change. Rather than focusing on just academic achievement, we need to help students learn to apply their knowledge under real-world conditions. And this starts with giving them opportunities to do so.
Deloitte’s 2025 Global Human Capital Trends survey highlights an “experience gap” in Generation Z. Employers increasingly want entry-level candidates with 2-5 years of experience. What they’re really seeking are workers who can apply knowledge in context and who already possess skills like problem-solving, time management, and the ability to prioritize. This expectation is only going to grow.
Building a Modern CTE Program Starts in Middle School
Middle school is actually emerging as the new frontier in comprehensive career-connected learning. Research shows that early career exploration helps students connect their interests to long-term goals. Middle school is a critical transition period where real-world learning can boost student engagement and help close achievement gaps.
Edmentum Career is helping districts lead this shift with a comprehensive approach for grades 6-12. Students begin by discovering their interests through surveys and exploring broad career fields, such as digital citizenship, health sciences, and engineering. By high school, they dive deeper into over 180 semester-long courses aligned to the 14 Career Clusters.
This type of layered experience gives students agency. They can sample a wide range of fields before choosing to specialize, which reduces the pressure of early decision-making and helps align passions with practical outcomes.
Students who "concentrate"—which means they take three or more CTE courses in a specific field—see even greater benefits. They graduate with industry-recognized credentials and are better prepared to adapt in a fast-changing workforce. And with 57 multi-year pathways available, Edmentum enables students to tailor their journey and build a portfolio that employers respect.
Sarah Miles, National Solutions Director at Edmentum, emphasizes that building an effective CTE program takes collaboration across a wide range of stakeholders. It’s not just about district leadership; it’s about forming relationships with local industries and involving them directly in program design. When employers participate in advisory panels and planning teams, schools are better positioned to align coursework with real workforce needs—opening doors to internships, apprenticeships, and career pipelines that begin before graduation.
While stakeholder collaboration ensures programs reflect real-world needs, the design and delivery of curriculum itself also plays a pivotal role. In a webinar covering CCL for all, Jason Bass, Edmentum’s Senior Vice President of Courses and Career, highlighted the importance of a flexible, engaging curriculum. Edmentum’s scaffolded courses include pre-tests, tutorials, mastery checks, and interactive tools that support learning at every stage. Because the courses are customizable, schools can adapt them to meet the unique needs of their communities—ensuring content stays relevant, rigorous, and responsive to evolving job markets.
Another key element is the integration of durable skills, which are essential for success across career sectors. Through a partnership with America Succeeds, Edmentum embeds these skills into the curriculum. This allows us to teach not just technical knowledge, but also how to lead, collaborate, and solve problems in dynamic (read: real) environments.
Getting these programs off the ground isn’t always easy, of course. One major hurdle is funding: CTE programs often receive a small slice of K-12 budgets. However, when districts see CTE as essential to their academic strategy—not just an add-on—it can absolutely open the door to braided funding models and stronger alignment with postsecondary and industry partners.
Further, through a partnership with Interplay Learning, Edmentum Career gives students the opportunity to engage in simulation-based learning in nine of the most high-demand skilled trades—including HVAC, electrical, and plumbing—without the need for expensive equipment and facilities. This disrupts the status quo of trade prep by making experiential, job-ready training available to students everywhere.
Teacher capacity can be another challenge. CTE educators need both industry knowledge and classroom pedagogy. Edmentum supports schools with coaching, on-demand help, and access to credentialed instructors who can lead online instruction tailored to local needs and schedules.
What’s Next for Career-Connected Learning Across U.S. Districts?
Many educational leaders are excited by the transformative potential of career-connected learning. It's less about steering students down a single path and more about opening doors. As students increasingly navigate nontraditional routes and multiple career changes, educators must provide the durable skills and practical experience to keep up.
Programs like Edmentum Career exemplify this future. They provide flexible, customizable solutions for districts aiming to give every student a strong start. From exploration in sixth grade to capstone projects that link learning to the workplace, this model is designed to help students succeed in the long term.
Districts are clear about what they want. The objective is to graduate students who are equipped to thrive. They're asking for systems that support whole child development, integrate real-world context, and prepare learners for a complex, evolving job landscape. From educators to employers, stakeholders tend to share this vision.
So, as state policies evolve, funding models improve, and more success stories emerge from classrooms and communities, the case for career-connected learning grows stronger. And the momentum, of course, continues to build.
What’s exciting about career-connected learning is that it’s not a trend. It’s a fundamental rethinking of how we prepare students for life. By prioritizing real-world skills and opportunities in our schools, we’re not just helping students graduate. We’re giving them the tools to thrive in any path they choose.
