Increasingly, when employers hire entry-level workers, they are placing a higher value on candidates who have a variety of skills and experiences. As the labor market for young adults shifts accordingly, educators are facing a growing need to understand how kindergarten through grade 12 (K–12) students learn about and navigate college and career pathways. Research on how schools help students explore career fields and gain professional experience is therefore a key complement to research on traditional college preparation supports.
In academic year 2025–2026, the authors of this report gathered survey data from district leaders via the American School District Panel, from school principals via the American School Leader Panel, and from students via the American Youth Panel. These data included information about college advisory and preparatory activities and work-related learning. Together, the three survey panels offer a timely and nationally representative view of career-connected programming in K–12 public schools and students’ experiences with that programming. These findings can inform policymakers, workforce development coordinators, career and technical education directors, and school leaders across the United States who are seeking to design or strengthen these learning opportunities.
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