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Pearson and its Connections Academy, the fully online public school program serving K-12 students, announced last week the expansion of their college and early career program into more than 20 schools. The program, now in over half of the Connections Academy-supported schools in the country provides tens of thousands of middle and high school students with opportunities to earn college credits and industry certifications, giving them a head start on their higher education and career journeys.
Recognizing the demand for job-focused, skill-building and career exposure, Pearson understood the need to tailor opportunities to middle and high school students and launched the Connections Academy college and early career readiness offerings in 2023.
The program’s tri-credit approach enables students to receive high school credit, industry-recognized micro-credentials, and eligibility for college credit toward U.S. bachelor’s degree programs. Initially supported by curriculum and credential partnerships with Coursera, Acadeum, and Pearson’s Credly, students are now benefitting from new partnerships with professional organizations, including the Future Business Leaders of America, The Home Depot, HOSA-Future Health Professionals and the SEMI Foundation, which provide them with experiences in careers across industries.
“Nearly 70% of students start thinking about their careers before 11th grade, and 14% begin considering their options in kindergarten – sixth grade,” said Lorin Thomas-Tavel, managing director, Pearson virtual schools, referencing original Pearson research. “Considering young people’s mindsets and the shifting focus of students, colleges and employers toward skills-based learning and recruiting, it is imperative we prepare them for successful early careers by addressing barriers such as cost and providing them with direction, confidence and connections.”
In addition to micro-credentials, and high school and college credit, these type of student needs are met through the program providing access to career assessments and lessons, developing post-secondary plans, selecting specific careers, writing in career journals, watching career videos, connecting with career coaches and earning badges.
Programming for the fall also includes engagement with professionals in science, technology, engineering, math, film and creative careers.
Students in more than half of Connections Academy schools now have access to college and early career programming, which will continue expanding to Connections Academy-supported schools in the coming years.
