Meaningful Diploma Programs and Practices: Aligned and Coherent Pathways

High school students express a desire for more career exploration opportunities during their middle and high school yearsⁱ. Bridging the gap between education and career planning for these students is more important now than ever. Districts and schools must prioritize providing aligned and coherent pathways early on to better prepare students for future success. This means student access to, and awareness of, high-quality career pathways incorporated into Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming. While CTE programs have historically been viewed as an alternative to college, many students are looking for more affordable and direct paths to sustainable employment that provide a higher return on investment.  

Secondary Career and Technical Education programs are designed to prepare students to transition to postsecondary education and career opportunities. Intentional planning and alignment of opportunities are considered in the development of CTE pathways and programs of study to ensure students develop the knowledge and skills necessary for entry into postsecondary education and training programs and/or the workforceⁱⁱ. As such, aligned and coherent pathways must point to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand career opportunities that provide a foundation for upward economic and social mobility.

Effective, high-quality CTE programs align with college and career standards and the needs of employers, industry, and labor. They provide students with a curriculum based on integrated academic and technical content and strong employability skillsⁱⁱⁱ. For aligned and coherent pathways to be successful, it is essential that districts and schools implement pathway programs that are not just responsive to the immediate needs of the labor market but are also looking at where the labor market is likely to head in the future^iv.    

Kentucky is a leader in designing career pathways that meet the needs of the most in-demand industry sectors, and specific fields within them, that meet rigorous skill, demand, and wage thresholds^{v vi}. There are thirty-three state-approved career and technical education programs of study that reflect the state’s most in-demand areas^vii.

Aligned and coherent pathways prioritize postsecondary preparation and allow students to see clear connections between education and career. At a minimum, aligned and coherent pathways must incorporate the following characteristics:

• Equitable Access^{viii ix}:  
  • Pathways should be accessible to all students, meaning districts and schools provide early opportunities for students to be aware of and prepared for these pathways upon entering high school.  
  • Programs should be designed to remove any barriers to student participation, potentially including features such as tuition-free access, open enrollment regardless of prior academic performance, comprehensive student support services, scalability, multiple entry points, and preparation support for students entering the program.

• Academic Pathway Guidance and Postsecondary Linkages^{x xi}:
  • Program structures should provide clear and detailed academic pathways for students from secondary to postsecondary education, covering coursework, sequencing, and experiences beyond traditional classroom settings.  
  • Students participate in a wide range of college awareness and engagement activities to inform their Individual Learning Plan, relating to college, apprenticeship and/or training programs.
  • Academic pathway guidance is tailored to labor market information related to employer demand, career opportunities, and students’ aptitudes and interests.  

• Enhanced Student Support and Career Advising^{xii xiii}:
  • Adequate wraparound services should be integrated into programs to bolster academic success and course completion rates, tailored to meet the diverse needs of student populations.  
  • Career advising supports students’ Individual Learning Plans.  

• Career Connection and Work-Based Learning^{xiv xv}:
  • Programs should expose students to a wide array of career prospects, with a focus on in-depth exploration of careers relevant to their chosen pathway. This may involve targeted workforce and career skills development and incorporating elements of experiential and work-based learning.  
  • Exposure to career opportunities in high-demand fields is essential for informed decision-making, along with exposure to the rigor of postsecondary education.

• Effective Partnerships^{xvi xvii}:
  • Aligned and coherent pathways require partnerships between local school districts, postsecondary institutions, and employers to ensure programs of study are aligned and implemented to meet the specialized needs of business and industry and meet the goals of the student’s individual learning plan.  
  • Additional formal partnerships with workforce development boards, employers, or employer associations may also be necessary for comprehensive support. Programs should aim for sufficient size to achieve economies of scale and ensure long-term sustainability.  

Resources Required

The depth and breadth aligned and coherent pathways will inform the necessary resources required. At a minimum, strong district polices will need to be in place that ensure pathways are available to students and supported by the necessary resources to achieve quality. In many cases, this will require extensive staff support (including program coordinators and high-quality instructors), funding for curriculum and equipment needs, and strong community and employer partnerships. Local school districts should also consult Kentucky Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education for up-to-date information about career pathway implementation.  

Employer partnerships and engagement are paramount for the success of aligned and coherent pathway programs, serving as the cornerstone for ensuring their relevance to the workforce. By collaborating with businesses, educational institutions can offer hands-on training that bridges the gap between theory and practice, equipping students with practical skills, industry insights, and professional networks. Furthermore, employer engagement promotes innovation and curriculum enhancement by integrating industry expertise, technology advancements, and evolving market trends into educational programs. Through ongoing dialogue and collaboration, educators can stay up-to-date with industry developments, ensuring that pathway offerings remain dynamic, responsive, and future-oriented. Additionally, fostering strong relationships between schools and employers cultivates a culture of mutual investment and support, where stakeholders actively contribute to each other's success. Employers benefit from a pipeline of skilled talent, while educational institutions gain access to resources, expertise, and funding opportunities that enrich learning experiences and program quality.

Community partnerships also play a pivotal role in enriching aligned and coherent pathway programs, complementing employer engagement by extending the network of support and resources beyond the business sector. Community partnerships broaden the scope of learning experiences by connecting students with a diverse range of stakeholders, including local organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and community leaders. By collaborating with community-based organizations and advocacy groups, schools can tailor programming, provide wraparound support services, and create pathways to success for underserved populations, including low-income individuals, minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, community partnerships facilitate resource-sharing and capacity-building, enabling schools to leverage local assets, facilities, and expertise to enhance program quality and sustainability.

This Program/Activity Supports These Strategies

• Partnerships for Pathways  

See it in Action

• Career and Technical Education in Kentucky
• ‍Kentucky students taking opportunities for career readiness through youth apprenticeship programs (Kentucky Teacher)
• Warren County career readiness through local partnerships (MD Curated Groundswell Spotlight) Coming Soon