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State Education Agencies

Below is a series of self-assessment questions to consider as you expand student pathways to success. If you have additional recommendations or feedback, please email: pathwaystosuccess@ed.gov.

1. Does your agency publish guidance or written policy and procedures to support dual or concurrent enrollment, work-based learning, industry credentials, and college/career advisement?
2. Does your agency support braided funding models, and does your agency have a procurement strategy to disperse available funding when the need arises?
3. Has your agency worked with the Pk-20 council (or equivalent) to create and/or streamline the postsecondary credit transfer policy?
4. Have you made funding (examples: Title programs, 21st century, etc.) available for wrap-around services to support career-connected learning?
5. Have you required or incentivized the adoption of individualized learning plans and ensured that systems include career development milestones?
6. Have you required or incentivized graduation requirements that align to postsecondary admissions requirements?
7. Does your state ESSA plan include college and career indicators? Are these indicators equally weighted within the state accountability model?
8. Does your agency have written policy and procedures to collect college and career ready data? Does your agency offer training to support data collection and administration?
9. Does your agency participate in the statewide longitudinal data system (SLDS)? Does your agency partner with research institutions to connect education and economic workforce data?
10. Have you worked across state agencies to convene employers and identify then validate credentials sought by industry?
11. How does your agency elevate student voice in the development of CTE and career-connected learning policy?
12. Does your agency have a strategic plan to scale CTE and career-connected education programs? Does this strategic plan include a financial plan?
13. Have you established policies and procedures for academic and technical content alignment and review?
14. Have you clearly established state-wide articulation between secondary and postsecondary segments of CTE programs?
15. Have you required or incentivized career guidance and navigation services to begin in middle school through an individualized learning plan?
16. Are your CTE programs over-subscribed and how are you increasing access to them?