The Why Good morning! My name is Shannon Miller and I am the director of Curriculum and Instruction at United Township High School District #30. I was invited here today to speak to you about overall legislative changes in Illinois and their impact on students becoming more college and career ready which include career development and workplace learning opportunities.

PWR Implementation Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act otherwise known as the PWR act has been a through a 7 year process so far in Illinois. Development began in 2012 and the legislature was passed in 2016- making the PWR act the new guidance in preparing secondary students for success post high school to be college and career ready. Creating education to employment pathways to achieve the state goal of 60% of residents with a post secondary degree by 2025

The PWR Act (Post Secondary and Workforce Readiness Act) The PWR act was developed with specific stakeholders in mind- school districts, post secondary institutions, employers,and civic and community organizations. The are four components that are the building blocks of the PWR act- two that related particularly to planning and preparing for post secondary and career expectations and creating college and career pathway endorsements for students while in high school

The What PWR Act signed into law in 2016 in order to: Take student centered and competency based approach to preparing students Equipping students to attend college Obtain meaningful employment Prepare graduates with academic, character, and career specific skills in high demand The Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (PWR), signed into law in 2016, takes a student based and competency based approach to helping students achieve college and career readiness. Being equipped to attend college and obtain meaningful employment is a top priority in Illinois education,

The How-Setting the PACE The Illinois PaCE Framework was developed with extensive input gathered from stakeholders and subject matter experts to provide guidance to students, families, and educators on what types of experiences and information a student should have in order to make the most informed decision about college and career planning beginning in 8th grade and through high school. The framework is organized around three key areas: Career Exploration and Development Postsecondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection Financial Aid and Literacy

The intent of the PaCE Framework is for it to be an organizing tool to help acknowledge and connect areas of success and identify those that may need additional attention or resources.

College and Career Pathway Endorsements The PWR act also establishes a voluntary system for school districts to award college and career pathways endorsements on high school diplomas.College and career pathway endorsements require an individualized learning plan, career-focused instruction, career exploration activities and 60 hours of internships or similar experiences.

College and Career Pathway Endorsements Recognize and incentivize student attachment of knowledge and demonstrations of skills important for both success in postsecondary and employment Encourage career exploration and development Promote greater consistency of college and career pathway program structures Institutionalize college and career pathways as key strategy for post secondary and career success

Recognize and incentivize student attachment of knowledge and demonstrations of skills important for both success in postsecondary and employment Encourage career exploration and development Promote greater consistency of college and career pathway program structures Institutionalize college and career pathways as key strategy for post secondary and career success

Manufacturing Career Pathway Example College and career pathway endorsements require an individualized learning plan, career-focused instruction, career exploration activities and 60 hours of internships or similar experiences.

PWR Implementation

Why Endorsements? State Policies and Systems College and career pathway endorsements require an individualized learning plan, career-focused instruction, career exploration activities and 60 hours of internships or similar experiences. State Policies and Systems

College and Career Ready 1,2,3 2.8/4.0 GPA 95% attendance College and Career Ready Pathway Endorsement OR 1 Academic Indicator in ELA and Math Identified career area of interest- sophomore year 3 Career Indicators junior/senior year

Along with essential employability skills such as teamwork resolution, communicaton, problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, adaptibility and flexibility, initiative and self drive, reliability, and organization.

Essential

PWR Implementation

Communities creating education-to-employment pathways to achieve the state’s goal of 60% of residents with a post-secondary degree by 2025. Opportunities for Employers to Support Students