Over 1,300 Eighth Graders Participate in Career Exploration Event

More than 1,300 eighth graders from 19 schools participated in the annual Pathways Playground career exploration event on October 17, 2023, at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, Illinois. Organized by the Regional Office of Education 47, the event allowed students to engage in hands-on activities and career discussions, aiming to inspire them as they consider their future educational and professional paths.

The purpose of Pathways Playground is to offer a practical way for students to explore different career options before they make decisions regarding high school courses, college, or trade schools. “Pathways is designed for students to try on different careers in high school before they decide on college or career or trade schools,” said Chanda McDonnell, Pathway Navigator. She emphasized that the event aims to “plant the seed for students and give them that idea of what might be out there after school.”

For many students, the opportunity to explore business ventures was particularly appealing. Corben Considine, a student from Byron, shared his enthusiasm for entrepreneurship, stating, “I want to be able to have fun with my friends and make some money. I don’t know what I want to do yet, but I’m thinking about it.”

Hands-on activities also captivated the attendees, particularly for students like Makayla Pineda from Ashton-Franklin Center. She expressed her enjoyment of the ultrasound demonstration, saying, “We took a wand with some jelly and rubbed it around the belly, and we could see the head and different parts of the baby.”

At the CGH Medical Center booth, Jennifer Grobe, the Nursing Program Director, provided students with a glimpse into the healthcare profession. Students learned basic CPR, how respiratory therapy functions, and practiced injections on training materials. “I like to get them hands-on so they know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel when they start biology class,” Grobe remarked. She also highlighted various career roles in healthcare, including radiology and surgical technology, emphasizing teamwork and the diverse paths available in the field.

The Pathways Playground event aligns with the Illinois College & Career Pathway Endorsement Program, established under the state’s 2016 Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. This initiative allows students to earn a formal endorsement on their high school diploma by fulfilling a series of structured requirements that prepare them for life after high school in their selected career paths.

Students can choose from seven career pathways: agriculture, health sciences, finance, arts and communications, information technology, human services, and manufacturing. McDonnell explained that meeting the requirements can provide students with various incentives, including endorsements on their transcripts.

To qualify for the endorsement, students must complete several criteria, including:

– An individualized learning plan that outlines their college pathway and career goals.
– Participation in at least two career exploration activities or one intensive experience prior to graduation.
– Completion of at least two team-based projects with adult mentoring focused on solving career-related problems.
– A minimum of 60 hours in a paid or for-credit supervised career development experience.
– Two years of high school coursework leading toward a postsecondary credential.
– Demonstration of college-ready proficiency in English and math by graduation.

Students who receive an endorsement are rewarded with a $100 credit at Dixon’s Sauk Valley Community College. Additionally, in 2021, the college, in partnership with ROE 47, was awarded a $249,000 grant from the Illinois State Board of Education to support these career pathways, marking the first phase of a four-part grant cycle totaling $747,000.

Governor JB Pritzker signed Public Act 102-0917 in 2022, mandating that all Illinois high school districts begin offering college and career pathway endorsements. Starting with the Class of 2027, districts must apply to the state to offer at least one endorsement area, with additional endorsements required by 2029 and 2031.

“We’re up to 18 school districts that now offer Pathways in their high schools,” McDonnell noted, listing participating districts such as Riverbend School District 2, Dixon Public Schools District 170, and Morrison School District 6, among others.

As of July 1, all districts must either apply to offer the required endorsements or have a board-approved plan in place to comply with the new regulations. Interested parties can contact ROE 47 at 815-625-1495 or visit their website at roe47.org for more information.