The National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN) seeks to increase opportunity for rural students through the power of actionable data and evidence. NCRERN partners with networks of rural school districts to generate and evaluate strategies for improving student outcomes. For more background on NCRERN's work, see the Introduction…

Vocational high schools aim to create graduates who are ready to work, but in reality, many graduates are not ready to work at this time. Low employability is the main problem. This study aims to design and test a theoretical model of the effect of entrepreneurial readiness, adversity quotient, and social intelligence on employability in…

Career development literature that tested the career construction model of adaptation has, thus far, examined adaptability resource as a mediator in the relationship between adaptive readiness and adaptation results; however, there remains a need to elaborate the links between adaptive resources, adapting response, and adaptation results. This…

The PreACT® suite of assessments (PreACT® 8/9, PreACT®, and PreACT® Secure™) can be used to monitor students' progress toward college and career readiness. Scores are classified into one of three readiness levels based on chances of meeting the ACT College Readiness Benchmark. This data byte presents the updated score ranges for each readiness…

The National Center for Rural Education Research Networks (NCRERN) seeks to increase opportunity for rural students through the power of actionable data and evidence. NCRERN partners with networks of rural school districts to generate and evaluate strategies for improving student outcomes. For more information about NCRERN's work, see the…

Work readiness is an important factor that can determine the quality of prospective graduates and vocational high schools as one of the educational institutions that prepare human resources to need to pay attention to factors that can improve work readiness. This study aimed to empirically examine how social support and self-regulation influence…

Jobs for the Future (JFF) is developing this state policy framework to outline the steps states can take toward fully adopting each of the Big Blur's four key components and creating a more effective system for grades 11-14. The Big Blur argues for the need to erase the arbitrary boundaries between high school, college, and careers and create one…

Graduation rates are steadily increasing, but students are graduating from high school with inadequate skills and knowledge to be competitive in this global economy. In addition, when students transition from elementary to middle school and then to high school, parental involvement declines. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study…

The current U.S. secondary education, postsecondary education, and workforce training systems are failing to serve the needs of many of today's students. Securing a good job with a family-sustaining wage increasingly requires workers to possess industry certifications, degrees, and credentials, but U.S. education systems are not set up to help…

High school graduates must be College and Career Ready to be successful in their future academic and employment pursuits. Employability skills such as communication, leadership, and critical thinking are in high demand from colleges and employers. High school academic success is an indicator the person has the skills and background necessary for…

This report is the executive summary to a paper that argues for a radical restructuring of education for grades 11-14--by erasing the arbitrary dividing line between high school and college--to open opportunities for the learners the current systems leave behind. The authors make the case for an entirely new type of institution--neither high…

The employability of students in vocational high schools is a major concern that must be considered. Employability as the ability and skills that will make it easier for individuals to get a job. Future orientation is one of the factors that can affect employability. This study aims to test the role of future orientation on student employability…

There are many important questions teachers and administrators need to ask as they grapple with how to ensure high school graduates are college and career ready. What does it mean to prepare students for a world that is rapidly changing--a world in which science and technology are altering how we live, work, play, and interact? If teachers focus…

By providing students with an opportunity to take college courses and earn college credits while in high school, dual enrollment programs effectively increase college access, enrollment, and degree attainment. Such programs might be particularly beneficial for high school students who might be less likely to go to college, including students from…

By providing students with an opportunity to take college courses and earn college credits while in high school, dual enrollment programs effectively increase college access, enrollment, and degree attainment. Such programs might be particularly beneficial for high school students who might be less likely to go to college, including students from…