Among the many state’s cardinal methods to assist guarantee Illinois highschool college students
are ready for all times after commencement are Faculty and Profession Pathway Endorsements,
which signify a pupil is able to pursue increased schooling or enter an in-demand
profession discipline.
Member colleges of the Northwest Instructional Council for Scholar Success (NECSS), a secondary and postsecondary regional instructional collaborative within the
Northwest suburbs, are on the forefront of the statewide motion.
Comprised of companions Township Excessive College District 211, Township Excessive College District
214, Group Unit College District 220, Harper Faculty and Training for Employment
70, NECSS excessive colleges awarded 448 Faculty and Profession Pathway Endorsements in 2021-22,
accounting for 78% of complete endorsements throughout the state.
“We acknowledge the worth of making distinctive studying alternatives and making certain our
college students are ready to maneuver efficiently from highschool to school or careers,”
stated Dr. Lisa Small, superintendent of Excessive College District 211 and this 12 months’s NECSS
board chair. “This endorsement represents one thing that we now have lengthy identified: Our college students
are able to succeed. This endorsement places a stamp of approval on the work our college students
have completed, and we’re proud to be main the way in which in recognizing the efforts
of our academics and college students.”
Faculty and Profession Pathway Endorsements sign to high schools and employers a pupil’s dedication to a discipline and reveal
a powerful portfolio of technical expertise, information and employability competencies.
Presently, NECSS’ excessive colleges provide endorsements in 5 sector areas: Finance and
Enterprise Companies; Human and Public Companies; Well being and Science Expertise; Data
Expertise; and Manufacturing, Engineering, Expertise and Trades.
“The worth that college students derive by exploring their choices by means of profession pathways
whereas nonetheless in highschool is properly established,” stated Dr. David Schuler, superintendent
of Excessive College District 214. “Now, to see that so many college students are taking that to
yet one more stage by doing the work required to earn Faculty and Profession Pathway Endorsements
signifies the outstanding diploma to which NECSS member college college students are setting
themselves aside in getting ready for post-secondary success.”
College students earn these endorsements on their highschool transcript by finishing an
individualized studying plan, a career-focused educational sequence, {and professional}
studying alternatives that present alternatives for college kids to work together with adults
of their office.
Examples of actions that college students participate in embrace employer visits, job shadowing,
60 hours of paid or credit-bearing internship, team-based challenges with grownup mentoring,
and coursework articulating to a postsecondary credential with labor market worth.
“Faculty and Profession Pathway Endorsements help college students of their postsecondary readiness,
no matter their path,” stated Dr. Robert Hunt, Barrington 220 superintendent of
colleges. “Genuine engagement in studying that’s hands-on, revolutionary, and collaborative
ensures that college students are constructing their proficiency in expertise reminiscent of communication,
initiative and self-drive, and drawback fixing, that are important for his or her future
readiness and employability. We’re grateful for our partnership with NECSS and their
help in growing such robust faculty and profession programming.”
Different advantages of incomes a Faculty and Profession Pathway Endorsement embrace Harper
Faculty waiving its First Yr Seminar course. And college students who’ve earned an education-related
endorsement will mechanically be thought-about a finalist for the Golden Apple Students
of Illinois, a trainer preparation program offering mentorship and as much as $23,000
in tuition help.
“Issuing nearly all of endorsements all through the state, our dedication to the
Faculty and Profession Pathway Endorsements is one other shining instance of how NECSS companions
collaborate to make sure all college students in our native communities have the chance to
succeed educationally and launch careers with the information and expertise that employers
want,” stated Dr. Avis Proctor, president of Harper Faculty.
Within the Northwest suburbs and past, faculties and employers can anticipate to see a rising
variety of potential employees and college students boasting Faculty and Profession Pathway Endorsements
amongst their credentials; the state adopted a regulation earlier this 12 months requiring college districts to use to supply at the least one endorsement
space starting with the highschool graduating class of 2027.