Tracking College and Career Readiness State Policy Activities
In 2023 and 2024, several states have introduced or enacted legislation aimed at enhancing college and career readiness through various approaches including apprenticeships, career and technical education (CTE), dual enrollment-related programs, and funding positions like career navigators or career pathway specialists. These legislative efforts reflect a growing recognition of the importance of providing students with diverse pathways to postsecondary education and career success.
State legislatures continue to focus on college and career readiness citing several important reasons:
- Preparing a Skilled Workforce - One of the primary drivers behind state efforts to enhance college and career readiness is the need to develop a skilled workforce that can meet the demands of the modern economy. And, importantly, retain America’s position as a global leader and economic powerhouse. By promoting apprenticeships, career and technical education (CTE), and dual enrollment programs, states aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for high-demand careers and the ability to compete in a global economy. This not only benefits individual students but also supports economic growth and attracts businesses to the state.
- Addressing Skills Gaps - Many industries face skills gaps, where there is a mismatch between the skills possessed by job seekers and the skills required by employers. State legislation focused on college and career readiness helps bridge these gaps by aligning educational programs with industry needs. CTE programs, in particular, provide hands-on training and industry-recognized credentials, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for specific career paths.
- Improving Student Outcomes - Research has shown that students who participate in college and career readiness programs, such as CTE and dual enrollment, tend to have higher graduation rates, better academic performance, and smoother transitions to postsecondary education or employment. By investing in these programs, state legislatures aim to improve overall student outcomes and increase the likelihood of success after high school. Increasingly, post-secondary outcomes are monitored and reported on state report cards.
- Promoting Equity and Access - College and career readiness initiatives can help address educational inequities by providing alternative pathways to success for students who may not thrive in traditional academic settings. Apprenticeships, CTE, and dual enrollment programs offer diverse learning opportunities that cater to different learning styles and interests. These efforts align to other policies such as flex-credit, competency-based education, personalized learning and other differentiated instructional approaches that enable students to advance at their own pace. State legislation in this area often focuses on expanding access to these programs, particularly for underserved populations.
- Responding to Stakeholder Demands - State legislatures are responsive to the demands and concerns of various stakeholders, including parents, educators, and industry leaders. As the importance of college and career readiness becomes more widely recognized, stakeholders have advocated for policies and programs that better prepare students for postsecondary success. State legislators have responded by introducing legislation to support these efforts.
- Aligning with Workforce Development Strategies - Many states have developed comprehensive workforce development strategies that aim to align education and training programs with the needs of the state's economy. College and career readiness initiatives are often a key component of these strategies, as they help ensure a steady pipeline of skilled workers for in-demand industries.
By focusing on college and career readiness through legislation, state governments are taking proactive steps to address critical educational and economic challenges.
In the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions, 278 bills have been introduced in forty-eight of the 50 states. Of these 88 (31.7%) have been enacted, 98 (35.3%) failed, 5 (1.8%) were vetoed and 87 (31.3%) are still pending. Tennessee led the states with 8 passed and enacted bills, followed closely by two states that passed 6 bills (WA, VA). Florida was close behind with 5 bills, and six other states passed 4 bills (UT, ID, IN, SD, ND, ME). Five states passed and enacted 3 bills (AR, MD, CO, TX, CA), and seven states passed and enacted two (AL, MS, KS, GA, WV, IL, OR). And, lastly, nine states and the District of Columbia passed one bill (KY, NM, IA, NJ, NV, NH, D.C., DE, OH, WI).
Thematically, these bills include provisions that address, but are not limited to, the following:
- expanded access to dual credit programs;
- new or enhanced academic and career planning requirements;
- increased operating funding for career technical education;
- capital investments in facilities and equipment for career technical education;
- stipends for journey worker teachers;
- apprenticeship educational pathways for teacher licensure;
- development of high school level apprenticeships;
- on-the-job training to students for pay, school, credit or both;
- creation of several state-level education and workforce boards or agencies;
- amending or establishment of statewide assessments to measure career readiness;
- providing tax credits to industry partners that offer apprenticeships;
- scholarships to teachers to obtain professional degrees;
- establishment of comprehensive 4-year career and technical education programs;
- addressing liability concerns for business owners who may employ a minor who is at least a specified age to work in a hazardous occupation if the student is in a registered apprenticeship program; and
- much more.
To find summarizes of legislation and links to bill text, readers can look to two great resources:
The legislative efforts in 2023 and 2024 demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing college and career readiness through diverse educational pathways. It signals a swing in state policies from the early 2000’s that pushed for more college degrees, emphasized “college for all,” and included programs that put students on college campuses while still in high school. By expanding apprenticeships, strengthening CTE programs, and increasing access to dual enrollment opportunities among other policies highlighted above, states are providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in both higher education and the workforce regardless of the path they choose. These initiatives not only address current educational and workforce challenges and lay the foundation for a more skilled and adaptable future workforce.
Educational Service Agencies (ESAs) should continue to monitor these policy debates, identify opportunities to influence policy decisions to leverage their knowledge and expertise, and increase opportunities and improve outcomes for all students regardless of where they live or attend school.
