Leveraging STEM for Social Change

Research has shown that most Washington students graduate high school and find jobs within 50 miles of where they grew up. But if their region has limited career-connected learning opportunities, local employers must recruit their workforce from outside the region. Washington STEM is partnering with schools and industry to provide more opportunities for students.

A letter in the mail

Each year parents of 6-8th graders in the Yakima Valley receive a letter with some great news: their children may be eligible for the College Bound Scholarship. This year, the letter is being translated into Spanish as well as English. In another district, a school administrator prepares a newsletter for parents about upcoming dual credit programs, like Running Start or College in the High School.

Some school districts are making a more concerted effort to share information with parents about dual credit courses and financial aid information in order to reduce inequities in how students earn college credit before graduation. 

“Not surprisingly, students who earn dual credit are more likely to continue their education after high school and learn the STEM skills needed for in-demand jobs,” said Washington STEM Career Pathways Program Director Angie Mason-Smith.

Currently, less than half of high school graduates in Washington enroll in postsecondary education or job training programs—despite the fact that research shows the vast majority of students say they want to continue their education. Research has shown that most Washington high school students find jobs within 50 miles of where they grew up. But if their region has limited career-connected learning opportunities, businesses must seek employees from outside their region.

So, what’s the comprehensive view?

Although schools and industry in some regions are building programs to meet industry needs, there is no comprehensive system in place to ensure students have the kind of education and job training in their home regions that leads to in-demand jobs. But Washington STEM is working to address this.

Working with network partners across the state, we developed the Career Pathways Ready System Framework (or Career Pathways Framework) to help schools and districts identify and fill gaps in their career-connected learning programs. In short, the Framework prioritizes three pillars of a “career-ready” system needed to help students launch their careers: pathways exist, students engage in these pathways, and schools have capacity and resources to support students.

Mason-Smith said, “There are many things that help students on their journey–but we prioritizing these areas. And if we do them in relationship with each other, it creates conditions for success.”

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