This commentary is by Tom Cheney of Jericho, executive director of Advance Vermont.
In the coming weeks, the Legislature and governor will make critical decisions about the future of pre-K-12 education in Vermont — decisions that will impact generations to come. While there will be much debate about the number of school districts and the tax formula to fund them, there should be little debate that the new system must better ensure that every high school graduate is prepared for their next step in life, whether that path begins with an apprenticeship, a certificate, military service, a college degree program or an employer-supported opportunity.
A bedrock principle of public education is to prepare students to graduate with a clear plan that positions them to support themselves and their families, contribute to our communities and become valuable members of our workforce. However, the current system is falling short of this ideal. Even with a strong flexible pathways law in Vermont, research from VSAC shows only about 6 out of 10 high school seniors report talking to adults about careers, and just over half say they have researched the education or training needed for their desired occupation.
According to the Vermont Department of Labor and the McClure Foundation, nearly three-quarters of the high-pay, high-demand careers in the state require completion of education or training after high school that leads to a formal credential (like a degree, certificate or license). Yet, the number of students considering continuing their education is on the decline.
Alarmingly, only 45% of boys who would be the first in their family to attend a post-high school program aspire to do so. These troubling trends signal the need for a more robust approach to career readiness and the fostering of educational aspirations, especially among traditionally underrepresented groups.
To build the foundation for a successful future, students need more opportunities for career exploration, experiential learning, and the guidance of adults. Community members and educators who engaged in the Agency of Education’s listen and learn tour last year echoed this need, and informed the governor’s education proposal. The plan includes a welcomed emphasis on career and education exploration, as well as coursework in middle and high school.
This needs to be an all hands on deck effort. We can not rely solely on our school counselors and flexible pathways staff for career and education advising. Parents, teachers, coaches, clergy members and other community figures play a critically important role in guiding youth as they consider future pathways. However, these groups report needing more information and support to better assist students in navigating their options.
The good news is that Vermont has models to learn from, and tools that can be deployed to develop more capacity and expertise to support future planning within the greater school community. Schools in pockets across the state have implemented innovative approaches such as leveraging teacher advisory time or forging partnerships with local employer organizations for career exploration and planning.
Vermont’s Serve Learn Earn programs are a great example of how service learning can give students hands-on experience in conservation and the trades. The Advance-Vermont-led MyFutureVT.org is a go-to tool showcasing career and education opportunities in the state, with over 120,000 users since its launch in 2021. This year, Advance Vermont is launching a promising new effort to train more educators and community leaders to become the navigators students need to graduate high school with a plan.
Building a vibrant future for the next generation of Vermonters requires strategies that start early, inspire students, broaden their perspectives and expose them to a wide array of exciting, clear and accessible career pathways. From technology and healthcare to skilled trades and green energy, our state offers a multitude of opportunities that can provide both personal fulfillment and financial stability.
To do this, we must prioritize career exploration as part of the educational experience, ensuring that students not only know their options but also understand the steps required to achieve their goals. This investment is essential for the success of our students and for the continued growth and prosperity of Vermont’s workforce and economy.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Tom Cheney: From school to career, ensure every Vermont graduate has a plan.