High school career academies: a 40-year proven model for improving college and career readiness

Despite many well-intentioned school reform efforts, many high school students continue to leave high school unprepared for college-level work or careers. In analyzing various high school reform efforts that have been employed nationwide, the career academy model has emerged as a strategy that works to improve student outcomes. Originally conceived forty years ago, career academies address academic rigor, relevance of instruction, and build relationships between students and adults. Career academies have thrived because of their dual objectives of career and college preparation, the broad cross section of students they serve, the evidence of their success, and the deep relationship between research and practice. This paper provides an overview of career academies and details policy recommendations to support the model.

Career academies are a time-tested model for improving academic achievement readying students for both college and careers, and engaging the world outside of school in the work of reforming them. As lawmakers work to craft policies that will dramatically improve American public education, career academies should be recognized for their effectiveness and included in reform efforts.

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