Key Initiatives and Trends in Student Career Readiness
May 17, 2024
Our recent webinar provided an in-depth look at the latest initiatives and trends in student career readiness. Here’s a look into what our industry experts are seeing through research, from our partners, and national leaders. Plus, a look into what’s to come for Kuder Navigator® to meet the evolving trends.
Top Four Initiatives
- Increasing Student Engagement in Career Readiness
- Streamlining Postsecondary Preparation
- Elevating Work-Based Learning for All Stakeholders
- Embracing Data-Driven Decision-Making
1. Increasing Student Engagement in Career Readiness
- Requirements Shifting to Earlier Career Exposure
- Schools are introducing career readiness programs at earlier stages, ensuring students are better prepared for their future careers.
- Increased Focus on Comprehensive Career Preparation
- There is a growing emphasis on equipping students with a wide range of skills and knowledge, helping them navigate various career options effectively.
- Updated National Career Clusters Coming Soon
- New guidelines and clusters are being developed to align educational outcomes more closely with current industry demands.
- Greater Interest in Career-Focused Programming
- Programs are becoming more relevant and engaging, tailored to students’ interests and future career aspirations.
To meet these industry trends, Kuder is excited to introduce an updated Kuder Navigator student experience coming in July of 2024! The new student experience will feature a refreshed design, simplified navigation, and additional callouts to guide students.
2. Streamlining Postsecondary Preparation
- Extending Involvement to Parents/Guardians
- Recognizing the critical role of family support in student success, efforts are being made to include parents and guardians more in the planning process.
- Standardizing Student Supports for Postsecondary Planning
- Schools are working towards a consistent approach in providing guidance and resources for college and career planning.
Kuder is providing several updates for the 2024-25 school year to support the evolving needs of supporting students in their postsecondary journey. Updates include:
- Involving Families through Integrated Communication Tools
- Enhanced platforms facilitate better communication between students, families, and educators.
- Updated Transcript Management
- Improved systems for managing and responding to student transcript requests
- Simplified College Application Tracking and Reporting
- Streamlined processes help students track their applications and receive timely updates.
3. Elevating Work-Based Learning
- Integrating with Career Preparation Requirements
- Work-based learning is being more closely tied to career readiness standards and educational curricula.
- Expanding to Include a Variety of Opportunities
- There are broader opportunities for students to engage in internships, apprenticeships, and other work experiences.
- Increased Focus on Reporting Needs
- Enhanced reporting mechanisms help better track and evaluate work-based learning experiences.
To meet the evolving state definitions and requirements for work-based learning, Kuder has expanded its’ work-based learning solutions available within Kuder Navigator. Key updates that are available include:
- Streamlined Workflows between Students, Educators, and Businesses
- Improved coordination and communication among all stakeholders.
- Customizable Tasks Based on the Perkins WBL Framework
- Tailored task assignments meet specific educational and career readiness standards.
- Integrated Time Tracking to Support Reporting Needs
- Accurate tracking of student participation and progress.
- E-Signature Availability
- Easy electronic signatures to involve parents, guardians, and business partners in the career planning and preparation process.
4. Trends in Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Prioritizing Personalized Learning & Career Paths Based on Assessment Data
- Data is used to create individualized learning plans and career pathways for students.
- Consistent Need for More Direct Intervention
- Identifying students who need additional support and providing timely interventions is a priority.
- Reviewing Data to Enhance Student Outcomes
- Continuous analysis of educational data helps improve overall student performance and career readiness.
To support data-driven decisions for state leaders, school districts, and individual educators, Kuder has created the highly customizable Kuder Navigator admin experience. This solution provides the following:
- Endless Possibilities for Custom Reports
- Flexible reporting tools meet diverse needs.
- Configurable Student Groups
- Customizable groupings allow for effective data analysis.
- Built-In Reports for State Requirements, Assessment Results, Course Plans, and more.
This webinar highlighted exciting advancements and strategic initiatives aimed at fostering student success in career readiness. Contact our team for further information or to get started utilizing Kuder solutions!