Postsecondary Pathways and the Shifting American Economy

A new Corporation-supported toolkit provides educators, advisers, and leaders with timely resources to help guide students and families on potential pathways to success after high school

By Carnegie Corporation of New York December 3, 2021
Future of Learning & Work
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A Corporation-funded Gallup Family Voices survey found a disconnect between the opportunities families want for their children and the postsecondary pathways available to them, with many parents reporting that preferred programs were unavailable to them or that they lacked adequate information about available opportunities beyond traditional college programs.

The new toolkit Postsecondary Pathways and the Shifting American Economy, produced by the Education Strategy Group and funded by the Corporation, seeks to address that gap, offering guidance for educators counseling students and families as they explore possible pathways to achieve success after high school. The toolkit provides concrete resources for school and district leaders to communicate with families about shifts in the labor market, including those induced by the pandemic, and the different pathways students can pursue to find success in today’s economy.

The toolkit includes customizable materials that highlight different factors for families to consider as students with diverse aspirations make critical decisions about their futures. It also offers key messages and strategies for communicating with families, among them: 

  1. Leverage teachers and counselors as trusted communicators. Given the capacity challenges facing most counselors, district leaders should consider prioritizing professional development opportunities to equip teachers to serve in an advisory capacity and familiarize them with the range of high-value postsecondary options available beyond a four-year bachelor’s degree. 
  2. Use digital methods that districts have used to communicate about virtual learning and other logistics during the pandemic to communicate with parents about other key issues related to the impact of COVID-19 – including shifts in the labor market and what that means for their children’s educational journeys. 
  3. Share real information – labor market data with real occupations and salary information –  to build out sample education and career pathways for students and their families (using or adapting the templates provided in the toolkit) to illustrate promising options in concrete terms. 
  4. Partner with local employers and postsecondary institutions that can offer perspectives on areas of growth and postsecondary credentials of value and contribute and validate concrete information – such as requirements, costs, and logistics – related to different higher education options. 
  5. Ensure that communications are targeted at all families. The momentum is building for more widespread understanding and acceptance of a wider variety of postsecondary career preparation options. While no one should be discouraged from pursuing a four-year degree, it is important to validate other options for success and ensure that they are presented as valuable options for everyone. 
  6. Treat communications about postsecondary options as an emergency priority. At a time when postsecondary degrees and credentials have never been more important for economic mobility, we are seeing staggering drops in the number of students enrolling in higher education. Parents and students need to be aware of how the economy is changing and the urgency of planning ahead for long-term success. 

To learn more, check out the full toolkit Secondary Pathways and the Shifting American Economy.

TOP: (Credit: Mediaphotos via Getty Images)

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