An aerial image of downtown Rockford, Illinois
Status
Current
Location

Rockford & Belvidere

TEAM
Managing Director of Pathways & Operations
Director of Innovation and Implementation

Rockford Region: Support for Career Pathways

The expectations for what it means to be prepared for college and career are inconsistent and unclear, and too many students in Illinois graduate from high school unprepared for college, careers, and life. Furthermore, Illinois employers report difficulty in finding qualified workers to meet their industry needs because recent high school and postsecondary graduates often lack the critical skills necessary to succeed in high-demand and growing occupational areas.

To address this problem both Rockford Public Schools 205 and Belvidere District 100 have adopted comprehensive pathway implementation strategies. RPS 205 developed a career academy infrastructure in its high schools to develop pathways that are more closely aligned to industry demand, college and credential requirements, and students’ interests. With the support of Alignment Rockford, RPS 205 is now piloting a grade-level framework for work-based learning that will provide all students with increasing exposure to the workplace in their chosen fields of study. D100 has adopted a multi-year strategy to support all of its graduates to earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Rock Valley College (RVC) is partnering with all of its feeder districts, including RPS 205 and D100, to expand dual credit opportunities for high school students

Since 2015, EdSystems has provided strategic counsel and technical assistance to RPS 205 and RVC and their partners as they build and expand their college and career pathway systems.

Our Role

Beginning in 2019, EdSystems launched a three-year partnership with Rockford Public Schools (RPS 205), Belvidere District 100 (D100), Rock Valley College, and other regional partners such as Alignment Rockford to provide strategic counsel, technical assistance, and other appropriate supports to foster equitably accessible high-quality pathways that effectively prepare young people for success in college, career, and civic life.

This project deepens and expands the focus on college and career pathway system development and implementation in the Rockford region that EdSystems has supported through the Great Lakes College and Career Pathways Partnership and Illinois Education and Career Success Network. Over the three years, EdSystems’ strategic counsel and technical assistance to RPS 205, D100, and Rock Valley College will include: 

  • Mapping and implementing pathways in line with the College & Career Pathway Endorsement system and the statewide Model Programs of Study.
  • Scaling a work-based learning continuum.
  • Supporting the alignment of secondary to postsecondary systems between the two districts and Rock Valley College, with a particular focus on implementing dual credit and transitional instruction.
  • More clearly defining and collecting data on work-based learning, pathway participants, and pathway completers as well as using disaggregated data to inform improvements in pathways implementation.
  • Documenting and disseminating best practices and lessons learned with other districts in the region.

The Latest

Events

Performance-Based Assessment Showcase

At the Performance-Based Assessment Design Cohort Showcase on May 18, 2023, we were able to hear the teachers talk about their projects and the process of creating them, and see up close how performance-based assessments can be used across disciplines and with students from a range of backgrounds with a variety of characteristics.

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Project

Community College Pathway Equity and Currency

To help encourage learners to complete the rigorous requirements and earn the College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) opportunity, as well as matriculate into postsecondary pathways, EdSystems is supporting the development of equity-centered strategies alongside incentives or currency that will help students and their families.

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I-WIN Events

Supporting Young Women in Manufacturing

On Tuesday, May 23, 10–11 a.m., learn about best practices, community models, and resources for supporting young women to pursue experiences in manufacturing. This session will also share insights and feedback gathered from female high school and college students on what they want to see in these efforts.

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I-WIN Events

Regional Team-Based Challenges

On May 9, leaders from Ridgewood High School, Triton College, Waubonsee Community College, and Elgin Community College shared how they are hosting regional team-based challenges in education, manufacturing, and health sciences.

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