The essential characteristics of an ideal Career Pathway include the following:  

1. The Secondary Pathway component

   • meets state academic standards and grade-level expectations;

   • meets high school testing and exit requirements;

   • provides additional preparation to assure college readiness;

   • meets postsecondary (college) entry/placement requirements;

   • provides academic and career-related knowledge and skills in a chosen career cluster; and

   • provides opportunities for students to earn college credit through credit-based transition programs (e.g. dual/concurrent enrollment, advanced placement, tech prep, international baccalaureate, middle college high schools, articulation agreements).

2. The Postsecondary Pathway component provides

   • opportunities for students to earn college credit through dual/concurrent enrollment or articulation agreements;

   • alignment and articulation with baccalaureate programs;

   • industry-recognized skills and knowledge in each cluster area; and

   • employment, business, entrepreneurial opportunities in the chosen career cluster at multiple exit points.

3. Pathway partners assure a culture of empirical evidence is maintained by regularly collecting qualitative and quantitative data;

   • using data for planning and decision making for continuous pathway improvement; and

   • maintaining ongoing dialogue among secondary, postsecondary, and business partners.