A Vision for Equitable Pathways: Enhancing Support and Innovation in College and Career Counseling
All4Ed’s Rebeca Shackleford, Director of Federal Government Relations, and Dr. Kristen Hengtgen, Policy Lead at Ed Trust, have co-authored a pivotal report titled “A Vision for Equitable Pathways: Enhancing Support and Innovation in College and Career Counseling.” This comprehensive report outlines an ideal system where pathways help students transition seamlessly from P-12 to higher education and careers. It emphasizes the importance of aligning degrees and certificates with students’ interests and career aspirations, while also addressing the complexities and barriers that exist in the current pathways landscape. The report highlights the disparities in support available to students from underfunded school districts, low-income backgrounds, and students of color, advocating for every high school to have a dedicated pathways counselor.
The report highlights five key elements of an ideal pathways system to include:
- Clear Choices: Students have a clear understanding of their options.
- Start Smart: Students and families understand available paths before entering high school.
- Access for All: Information is accessible and provided in multiple formats and languages.
- Guided Beginnings: Students explore options through regular, early high school touchpoints.
- Final Prep: Staff provide dedicated and targeted support for 11th and 12th graders.
The report also identifies systemic barriers and specific challenges faced by rural students, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners. For a detailed understanding, read or download the full report here.
