Resource roundup: Supporting career readiness in rural schools

Resource roundup: Career readiness in rural schools

By Joni Wackwitz
September 21, 2018

Rural schools face unique challenges in preparing students for the workforce and college. We rounded up these career readiness resources from the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program and the College and Career Readiness and Success Center with the priorities and needs of rural educators in mind.

REL Midwest supports career readiness efforts in rural districts in Minnesota and across the Midwest through the Midwest Career Readiness Research Alliance and a range of other services.

Did you miss the alliance’s August 2017 webinar, Preparing American Indian Students for College and Careers? Visit the link to watch the archived recording and download the presentation. This webinar features insights from research and practice on culturally responsive strategies to promote college and career readiness for American Indian students.
On October 11, 2018, the alliance will screen a documentary, Ready for the Future: Career Preparation in Rural Communities, about career readiness efforts in rural communities across Minnesota. REL Midwest partnered with Twin Cities Public Television, the Minnesota Rural Education Association, and other rural organizations to develop the documentary, which highlights best practices in the field as well as factors that contribute to success as students plan for their futures. Learn more and register.
REL Midwest’s Ask A REL reference desk service recently compiled research related to several career-readiness topics that may interest rural educators: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics work-based learning; youth employability; effectiveness of career and technical education on student outcomes; and high school equivalency alternative programs.

REL Appalachia’s video, Behind the Findings: Dual Credit Programs in Kentucky, dives deeper into the findings and implications of a study on the implementation of dual credit programs in Kentucky. The video explores possible ways to ensure equitable access to dual credit programs across districts.

The College and Career Readiness and Success Center’s State Work-Based Learning Initiative is supporting states in designing, scaling, and implementing work-based learning efforts through peer networks, including one focused on the unique challenges facing rural communities in implementing work-based learning.

Learn more about REL Midwest’s work on career readiness with these resources: