Visionary Goal
Every student will earn the equivalent of a semester of college credits or an advanced career credential before high school graduation.
Why It Matters
Courses where students can earn college credit or advanced career credentials while still in high school allow students to demonstrate college and career readiness and save students time and money on their postsecondary pathway, positioning students to get a headstart on career pathways aligned with their passions and interests. Research shows that earning college credits in high school has a positive impact on students' overall academic achievement, completion of high school, and attainment of a college degree. Advanced career credentials can be leveraged as access points to apprenticeships and employment directly from high school and can also be stacked as continued postsecondary education, increasing students’ persistence in their selected pathway. Career exposure activities starting in middle school prepare students to participate in advanced courses that connect to their postsecondary career plans. In 2023, 49% of students graduated with an advanced course credit or a career credential. However, participation is limited based on where students attend school, with some schools not offering any advanced course options. Our Black students have limited access to advanced coursework and career credentials and the preparation needed for success, and are earning these at a much lower rate than their counterparts.
Strategies
- Ensure all high school students have access to high-quality advanced course options including AP, IB, early college, career and technical education (CTE), and JROTC by conducting annual equity reviews and helping schools expand offerings that increase the number of students earning credits towards college completion or career.
- Expand access in communities across the city to high-quality, career-connected education pathways that prepare students for careers with family-sustaining wages, including CTE, work-based learning, City Colleges Model Pathways, and citywide career programs. Align CTE programs to the Illinois State Board of Education’s College and Career Pathway Endorsements to ensure students in CTE programs can earn advanced career credentials in high-growth, high-wage industries.
- Ensure career advising and exposure begins in middle school so all students in grades 6–12 have access to high-quality advising and career exposure activities.
Five-Year Goals
- Increase the percent of high school graduates earning advanced course credits and career credentials from 49% to 70%.
- 100% of schools serving 6th-12th grade students will use CPS Success Bound advising curriculum which centers on career exploration, high school selection, and postsecondary access to drive completion of Individual Learning Plans in SchooLinks.
- Develop a middle school strategy and plan by engaging stakeholders and building on the current initiatives like CPS Success Bound, To and Through, algebra hubs, and high school course offerings for middle school students.