Without a dedicated Work-Based Learning Coordinator, students miss life-changing career opportunities. Learn how NAF's policy recommendations and district best practices are expanding access to internships, job shadowing, and real-world learning for high school students.
NAF's latest outcomes research shows career-connected education works. Students who complete internships, pathway coursework, or dual enrollment graduate at higher rates, enroll in college more often, and earn more in their first two years after high school.
This collection of stories showcases real-world examples of NAF educators using AI to enhance student engagement, personalize instruction, and amplify classroom impact, with practical implementation guidance for teachers at every level.
Discover how NAF is shaping the next generation of leaders through work-based learning, innovative curriculum, and strategic partnerships. Explore our milestones, student impact, and vision for the future in our latest annual report.
This study analyzes data from over 15,000 NAF academy graduates to identify which program elements most influence college enrollment. Findings show that students who completed NAF courses, internships, and dual enrollment were significantly more likely to matriculate into college.
For nearly 45 years, NAF has been on a mission to transform the high school experience and create access to opportunities for high school students to achieve their full potential and live the future of their dreams. While the world continues to turn, NAF is there and ready to pivot, inspire, and support students on their journeys to be future ready – no matter what their paths look like.
PUSD Pathways exemplifies the transformative power of the Outcomes Driven WBL approach, where high-quality work-based learning experiences prepare students for success in college, career, and life.
NAF is proud to have supported over half a million students in NAF academies over the last 40+ years, but we know the job is not done. In the third year of our strategic plan, we continue to take bold steps to innovate in a way that challenges how we approach our work and deliver on our mission to meet the needs of today's and future students.
Read this year’s Impact Report, Where Opportunity Begins, to learn more about our progress and hear inspiring stories from our network.
In 2022-2023, NAF proudly announced that 201 academies in the NAF network have reached Katherine Blasik Distinguished level, with 170 of these academies having reached this level more than once and 31 being new to the roster.
In 2020-2021, NAF embarked on a five-year strategic plan with the primary focus to grow NAF’s reach to impact significantly more students by 2025. Under the leadership of first-year CEO, Lisa Dughi, NAF is reimagining the future of education and the future of work to create and provide greater opportunity and access for future generations.
In 2021-2022, NAF proudly announced that more than 200 academies reached Model quality level and 181 reached Katherine Blasik Distinguished quality level. Of these, 157 academies have reached this level more than once and 24 are new to the roster.
In this paper, NAF examines what comprises a high-quality work-based learning program, challenges to developing and expanding these programs, and recommendations for policymakers seeking to strengthen policies that support them.
Despite continuing challenges with the pandemic, our network remained focused on our students and mission while embarking on a new five-year strategic plan. Your unwavering support enabled us to make progress towards these goals and reach milestones on our continuing journey to make our students future ready.
In 2020-21, NAF had more than 200 academies reach Model quality level and 178 reach Distinguished quality level—135 of these academies have reached this quality level more than once and 43 are new to the roster.
The 2021 “NAF Student Survey Field Guide” is now live! The data is in and this year we heard from over 19,000 NAF students about their academy experiences. This Field Guide packages high-level data, student's voices, and recommendations into an easily digestible document as a way to view findings from the 2021 NAF Student Survey for continuous improvement.
As national and state legislators seek to address the fallout from multiple crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential they consider the effects on current high school students and young people launching their careers in the coming years.
Research + Tech invite you to jump into the NAF “Field Guide" Student Reflections on Efficacy. This Field Guide is meant to be an easily digestible way to convey findings from the Student Survey that was live this past spring.
We are grateful for the unwavering commitment that each of you has shown to NAF’s mission. Despite the massive disruptions caused by COVID-19, the NAF network has stayed true to our core value of innovation. Please enjoy our 2019-2020 Impact Report.
In 2019-20, NAF had nearly 200 academies reach Model quality level and 138 reach Distinguished quality level—91 of these academies have reached this quality level more than once and 47 are new to the roster.
By fostering small learning communities with a culture of acceptance and belonging in high schools, NAF academies are building a foundation for students to thrive in the classroom, workplace, and community.
Successful work-based learning programs are an important driver of equity. They create pathways to high growth fields for underrepresented groups, and build students’ professional networks and social capital. In this white pager, we share recommendations for state and local policymakers to expand work-based learning.
We are proud to share our 2018-2019 Impact Report. We are so grateful for what our network has accomplished this year and hope you can take a moment to reflect on your role in helping to unleash the power of opportunity for over 100,000 NAF students.
Coding takes place during the development phase, and a significant amount of thought, planning, and effort goes into an app before, during, and after the coding happens. This document is a guide to many of the non-technical steps of building an app.
In 2018-19, NAF had over 100 academies reach Model quality level and 90 reach Distinguished quality level—72 of these academies have reached this quality level more than once and 18 are new to the roster.
We are proud to share our 2017-2018 Impact Report. Together, we’ve achieved so much and hope that you will take a moment to reflect on your role in helping to provide a dynamic education that changes everything for students.
In 2018, NAF reached a record high number of 77 academies achieving Distinguished quality level.
The 2016-17 school year marks the 30th anniversary of the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism. This publication takes a look back at the major milestones of how this theme has grown.
Structured relationships between NAF academies and their corporate
partners create a dramatic impact for students beyond what a great
school, part-time job, or even a strong coaching relationship can
achieve on its own.
The integration of those experiences provides the applied learning
and reinforcement that motivates young people to study and achieve.
The chance to establish professional contacts pushes NAF academy
students to make the most of every work-based learning opportunity.
When education and business work together, the impact is exponential. This marketing material can help you make the case to recruit employer partners in your community.
Since 2010, NAF has collected data to track student performance and learning outcomes. Its latest report, “Transforming the High School Experience,” documents the findings of the design’s impact on students’ high school experience. To view the infographic summary, click "View PDF" below. To view the full report on ICF's website click here.
This case study offers an in-depth look at how a rural school district in Porterville, CA used the NAF educational design to create wide-scale reform to make a difference for its students and the community at large.
This case study offers a glimpse into how a large, diverse school district in Miami-Dade, used the NAF educational design to make a difference for its students and community.
This case study provides tangible examples for companies to model when looking to get involved with local NAF academies. It provides inspiration to companies on their critical role in shaping the future workforce and how all-in corporate engagement can benefit their business.
This case study explores promising practices and shares examples of how these practices are implemented in four high-performing districts.
In a fast-paced and ever-evolving global economy, STEM skills are essential in gaining a competitive advantage across all industries. Workforce development trends continue to emphasize growing the STEM talent pipeline, as 2.4 million STEM jobs still remain unfilled. NAF is addressing this challenge by transforming high school education, because when students can see the connection between the classroom and their future career options, they are put on a path to success.
Several of America's top companies have committed to NAFTrack Certified Hiring, a promise to give special consideration to college students and eventual job applicants who, as high school graduates, earned NAFTrack Certification.
"NAF Track Components" provides an overview of NAFTrack Certification, myNAFTrack, and NAFTrack Certified Hiring. Learn more about the student, employer, and school/district benefits of each.
NAF's brochure provides a general overview of the NAF network and how NAF works with schools, businesses, and communities.
NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready.
