Press

The United States’ education system overemphasizes college advising and prep coursework, while work-based opportunities and career preparation programs are overlooked and under-resourced. The reality is that most Americans do not earn college degrees — either forgoing college altogether or enrolling in college but not finishing — often leaving them with crushing student debt.

In an effort to address a lack of career readiness in high school curriculums, the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) released a new policy brief “Reinventing High Schools: The Importance of Exposing Every Young Person to the World of Work,” detailing innovative approaches to ensuring high-quality career instruction is infused in every young person’s educational experience. Report author Taylor Maag, PPI’s Director of The New Skills for a New Economy Project, offers policy recommendations and calls on leaders to adopt solutions that: ensure every high school student can participate in high-quality work-based learning; boost public investment, and make resources more effective; and build strong cross-sector partnerships which are critical for these efforts to succeed.

“Career learning and experiences are critical for an individual’s success after high school — preparing young people for the world of work and providing strong alternatives for those not interested in or unable to access a four-year degree,” said Tayor Maag. “It is time for our education system to undergo much-needed reform and finally reinvent high schools.”

Download the policy brief here.

The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org. Find an expert at PPI and follow us on Twitter.

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Media Contact: Amelia Fox – afox@ppionline.org