How Online Curriculum Supports College and Career Readiness

Across the country, states are prioritizing innovation and investment to ensure that students are fully prepared for college or a career after high school. As workforce needs shift, schools are being called upon to equip students with the academic and career-ready skills necessary for success. In a data exploration on durable skills, America Succeeds reports that, while only 24 states have established career-readiness standards, 35 states incorporate some form of career-readiness metric into their school accountability system. States have increasingly funded related initiatives to support this priority, including California, Alabama, Washington, and Minnesota, with each setting money aside in 2023 for competitive grant programs designed to support and expand work-based learning programs.

In this context, now is an opportune time for schools and districts to assess their college and career programs. Digital solutions provide educators with powerful tools to support students’ pathways to success, including high school diplomas, SAT and ACT test prep, and career-ready certifications. Here are some key components to consider when ensuring that your students are fully supported in their college- and career-readiness journeys.

Help Students Earn a High School Diploma or Equivalency

Supporting students in earning a high school diploma is essential to long-term academic and career success. When students struggle to meet these requirements and need credit recovery options to stay on track for graduation or seek alternative pathways, schools must offer flexible and accessible programs to address their needs. Blended and online learning environments can be transformative in helping students meet graduation requirements. Programs like EdOptions Academy allow schools to offer accredited high school diploma options that fit students’ individual schedules and needs, helping them overcome barriers and stay focused on their goals.

Adult learners often face different challenges as they return to schooling to complete their equivalency while balancing work or family responsibilities. Test-prep courses deliver targeted learning to prepare students and adult learners for exams like the GED and HiSET, enabling them to pursue postsecondary opportunities. 

Schools can open doors to further education and career opportunities for high school students and adult learners by providing additional resources and learning opportunities to help them attain a diploma or its equivalent.

Prepare Students for SAT and ACT Success

For college-bound students, SAT or ACT scores are a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to admissions. These tests can seem intimidating, but with the right tools and preparation, you can help students feel confident when test day arrives. In many states, the SAT or ACT test is not just a college entrance exam but also serves as a graduation requirement, a state standardized test, or a component of accountability measures. Ensuring that students are well-prepared for these exams is critical for meeting state benchmarks and helping students compete for college admissions.

By utilizing data-driven, personalized learning resources, districts can ensure that students master the necessary skills well before taking these high-stakes exams. Tools like College-Readiness Tutorials and SAT and ACT test-prep courses support educators in delivering targeted instruction for the areas where students need the most help, ensuring that they can meet state benchmarks and feel confident about their future academic success. 

For adult learners returning to school after a break, tackling standardized tests might be one of the first challenges they face. With Tailored Tutorials for Adult Learners, schools can help students refresh essential skills, whether they need to review math skills or improve reading comprehension.

Bonus: Here are 5 Tips to Help Students Through College Entrance Exams

Explore Career and Technical Education (CTE)

As college and career readiness becomes a more significant focus, career and technical education (CTE) is emerging as an essential part of high school programs and even in the middle years.  Students benefit greatly from the hands-on training and career-certification opportunities that CTE programs offer. These programs are the bridge that connects the classroom to the real world, providing students with skills that lead directly to employment opportunities in high-demand fields.

Integrating CTE courses into a district’s curricula can provide students with industry-recognized certifications, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market. With a broad range of courses including healthcare and information technology, Edmentum’s career-connected learning courses equips students with the practical skills they need to enter the workforce and succeed in their chosen field. You can utilize our Career & Technical Education Toolkit for more information on enhancing your district’s CTE offerings.

Bonus: Explore 10 CTE Courses Your School Should Offer 

Personalize Learning to Close Gaps and Ensure College and Career Success

Every student’s path to college or a career is unique. Personalized learning can help address individual needs and ensure that students master the skills necessary for their future—whether that’s moving on to higher education or entering the workforce. Personalized learning tools enable educators to deliver targeted instruction that meets all students where they are. Programs that use diagnostic assessments to create individualized learning paths, such as Exact Path, allow educators to intervene when necessary and accelerate learning where students excel. This approach benefits not only K–12 students but also adult learners. By embedding this kind of data-driven instruction into districtwide initiatives, schools can ensure that all students, regardless of their starting point, are mastering the skills they need to succeed after graduation.

Bonus: View 5 Ways to Engage Adult Learners

Support Comprehensive College- and Career-Readiness

For school and district administrators, building robust college- and career-readiness programs is essential for student success. By leveraging Edmentum’s flexible, data-driven solutions, you can offer your students the tools they need to thrive—whether they’re pursuing a college degree or entering the workforce. 

With such diverse offerings as high school diploma programs, SAT and ACT preparation, and career certifications, Edmentum provides the resources that align with your district’s goals and helps ensure that students are prepared for their futures.  

Online, flexible solutions can seamlessly integrate with existing programs, helping schools and districts enhance their college- and career-readiness initiatives. With flexible tools and services designed to support learners of all ages, you can elevate your efforts and be an additional resource to prepare high school students and adult learners for the next steps in their college and career journeys. 

Bonus: Use our Career-Connected Learning Needs Analysis to identify areas for improvement in your school or district and create a more successful program.