The only organization dedicated solely to helping state boards advance equity and excellence in public education.

Five Questions State Boards Should Ask to Advance College and Career Readiness


By 2025, 68 percent of jobs in the United States will require postsecondary education and training beyond high school. Since states want to prepare graduate students for those jobs, states promised to work toward the goal of college and career readiness for all students in their state plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This analysis outlines five questions state board of education members can ask to advance college and career readiness policies in their state.

The analysis also highlights CTE initiatives in Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Washington that help expand opportunities for all students to be successful as they transition to college or a career. These programs feature dual enrollment opportunities, rigorous coursework, new graduation pathways, course alignment with high-opportunity careers, skill building for the jobs of the future, and tracking of student attainment after graduation.


Five Questions State Boards Should Ask to Advance College and Career Readiness



Related Content

  • Getting Students Career Ready

    Every student needs academic and technical skills to prepare them for life and every student needs to plant their feet on a career pathway during their K-12 journey.



Featured Items

Two female teachers sitting at a table, having a discussion in the lobby area in the school they work at in Gateshead, North East England. They are talking about school issues together while using a laptop. i

Preparing Principals to Lead Innovative High Schools

By better aligning principal preparation, licensure, and support systems, state boards of education can unlock the potential of innovative high school models.

Annual Conference 2026

It's that time of year again: Registration is now open for NASBE's Annual Conference this October! Join us in Baltimore, Maryland, for bold conversations, big ideas, and meaningful connections.
Smart Businesswoman speech or Speaking with microphone in Seminar hall, hand gesturing protesting or belief for explaining in conference room. Speaker tedtalk is vocalized form of communication humans i

Five Questions to Ask about Having Student Members on State Boards

Twenty-four state boards of education have at least one student board member serving in a voting or nonvoting capacity. But inclusion alone does not guarantee meaningful, effective participation.

Upcoming Events

From the States