Growing national recognition invites school districts, industry partners and communities to recognize the importance of education pathways that prepare students to lead in America’s most in-demand industries
A growing movement seeks to better prepare America’s future leaders through focused career and technical education in high school classrooms across the nation. April 16 marks the second annual National Pathway Day, which honors the importance of learning career experiences, known as pathways, that provide hands-on training in the classroom.
The first National Pathway Day was launched by the Porterville Unified School District in partnership with college-and-career pathway champions ConnectED:The National Center of College and Career, Linked Learning Alliance, and NAF. Now in its second year, the recognition is being marked in a growing number of communities by school districts, cities, and counties alike.
“Aligning education with the demands of a rapidly-evolving economy is essential to preparing the next generation of leaders,” said Lisa Dughi, CEO of NAF. “Career-connected pathways bring learning to life, giving students the skills, confidence, and real-world experience they need to step into and shape tomorrow’s workforce.”
Pathways, offered by hundreds of school districts nationwide, are centered around a specific industry, such as engineering or finance. Such programs ensure that students learn the skills necessary to thrive in fast-growing, cutting-edge careers. Additionally, students will typically receive support in securing their first professional roles.
The importance of career pathways cannot be overstated. Many high-skill and rapidly-growing industries, such as engineering, health care, information technology and law, face massive shortages in the number of qualified workers who can fill open positions.
“In a rapidly changing world, students need learning that connects their interests to real-world applications and builds critical thinking through authentic problem-solving with professionals. Pathways make that possible,” said Julie Koenke, President and CEO of ConnectED, “They are no longer optional programs for a few, but a proven solution to our nation’s educational, economic, and workforce challenges. Every student deserves this kind of learning—and the time to act is now.”
The benefits go beyond preparing students for their future careers. According to research from NAF, 90% of students who complete a pathway program are college-bound, versus the national average of 70%. 57% of students report feeling fully prepared to enter the workforce, which also exceeds the national average.
Porterville Unified School District, where National Pathway Day began, also saw a tremendous impact from implementing pathways district-wide. The district boasts a graduation rate of ninety-nine percent, with 94% of students moving on to some form of post-secondary education.
“Pathways are not just programs in Porterville Unified—they are a defining part of who we are as a district and a community. Our students are supported by educators, families, and industry partners who believe in the power of real-world learning. Through these experiences, students develop tangible skills, earn industry certifications, and graduate with a level of preparation that truly sets them apart as they take their next steps,” said Dr. Nate Nelson, Superintendent of the Porterville Unified School District.
School districts across the country are invited to celebrate National Pathway Day by expanding access to pathway programs, offering hands-on career-connected activities in the classroom and collaborating with industry partners to provide internships, mentoring, job shadowing, workplace visits, guest speakers, and other career learning opportunities for students.
“National Pathway Day is a celebration of the ‘plus’—the powerful integration that happens when academic rigor meets real-world relevance, and when schools, communities, and industry come together around young people’s futures,” said Anne Stanton, President and CEO of the Linked Learning Alliance. “When young people feel the power of community behind them, they know anything is possible.”
Additional Data
ConnectED
- In California, from 2020 to 2023, 12 districts partnering with ConnectED have increased the percentage of high school students graduating college and career ready by an average of 7 percentage points, compared with 1.7 percentage points for the state as a whole.
- In 2023, 78 high schools in California, supported by ConnectED, graduated 118,000 students college- and career-ready
Linked Learning Alliance
- In California, a 10-year independent evaluation showed that students in Linked Learning pathways outperformed non-pathway peers in credit accumulation, attendance, graduation from high school and enrollment and persistence in postsecondary.
- Today Linked Learning is at work in more than 80 California school districts, with 600 educational pathways operating in 250 schools.
- In a 2025 survey of Linked Learning youth:
- 81% of Linked Learning students said that they feel motivated to learn in their pathway
- 96% rate their high school experience as valuable
- 80% wish others could have the same opportunity to experience a college and career pathway education
NAF
- 90% of NAF high school students who graduate from a Pathway program are college-bound, compared to the national average of 70%
- 57% of Pathway seniors report they feel fully prepared to enter the workforce (higher than national average)
- 65% of graduating Pathway students join the workforce or military
Porterville Unified School District (PUSD)
- Since 2012, Porterville’s high school graduation rate has been 99%, compared to the statewide average of 85%
- Since 2013, 94% of PUSD high school graduates report going on to some form of post-secondary education
Media Contacts
ConnectED
Joseph Hendry
(510)343-9833
Linked Learning Alliance
Haley Steinhauser
Vice President of Communications
562-991-3170
NAF
Courtney Savoia Baldovin, NAF
201-407-8513
Porterville Unified School District
Hannah Moore
559-793-2400 ext. 4655
hmoore6769@portervilleschools.org
About ConnectED:
Established in 2006 by The James Irvine Foundation, ConnectED: the National Center for College and Career is committed to partnering with community leaders to design and implement comprehensive systems of high quality college and career pathways designed to maximize the potential for student success. ConnectED focuses on what students need to know and be able to do to achieve lasting success in both college and career, not just one or the other. With an aim to improve not just how students learn, but also how teachers teach, how schools better support learning and teaching, and how the community provides opportunities for learning and practice. With an interdisciplinary, experiential approach, we connect teachers and students to industry professionals who help create authentic projects, assess student work, and work side-by-side with students through job shadowing, mentoring, and internship experiences. Learn more about ConnectED at connectednational.org.
About Linked Learning Alliance:
The Linked Learning Alliance leads a movement to connect all youth to college, career, and purpose. We partner with education systems to accelerate the adoption of high-quality Linked Learning educational pathways that engage adolescents, strengthen workforce readiness, and advance equity and economic justice. Our actions drive rigor and improvement in the Linked Learning practice, research that establishes evidence and informs learning, communications that enhance public understanding and center the voices of students and educators, and the supportive policy and resources required for success. Learn more at linkedlearning.org and follow us on social @linkedlearningalliance.
About NAF:
NAF is a national education nonprofit that brings schools and businesses together to prepare students for college, careers, and upward mobility.
NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in New York City to hundreds of academies across the country focusing on growing industries including finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences; and support programs of study that are aligned with the National Career Clusters Framework. Learn more at naf.org and follow us on social @NAFCareerAcads.
About the Porterville Unified School District
The Porterville Unified School District (PUSD) Pathways Department creates opportunities and changes the lives of students through compassion, competence, confidence, and collaboration. Through family and community engagement, PUSD strives to ensure each student has meaningful experiences and grows and develops as individuals.