Ready to transform how your students access college-level learning? EdSystems invites you to explore Illinois’ dual credit opportunities and discover practical tools for building programs that truly accelerate student achievement.
What do students know about the College and Career Pathway Endorsement? What do they need in order to earn an endorsement and transition to college
A review of education bills relating to building clear, unambiguous paths for leaners plus considerations for how the federal context is shaping state action.
Join us for a guided introduction to the resources and insights on implementing high-quality career development experiences in this free webinar.
The State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides are being updated to reflect growing opportunities in the clean energy sectors. Learn about the changes and share your public comment by June 15, 2025.
The 2024–25 school year brought fresh energy and bold innovation to the field of work-based learning. From new internal systems and inclusive practices to creative partner outreach and myth-busting conversations, learn what key initiatives, resources, and models communities are utilizing to provide high-quality work-based learning and expand student access.
The latest issue of NASBE’s State Education Standard features a deep dive into Illinois’ efforts to prepare students for postsecondary success, written by Policy Director Emily Rusca.
Highlighting exemplars from school district partners across Illinois, EdSystems is releasing a new work-based learning continuum to support college and career pathways in information technology (IT).
Illinois legislators are currently considering a number of education and workforce development bills. In this article, we preview proposed bills with the potential to reform university funding, manufacturing pathways, student placement and transfers, high school requirements, the use of AI, and postsecondary data dashboards.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for information technology (IT) pathway students.
We asked school leaders across the state how they are recruiting manufacturing pathways students, particularly those who are typically furthest from access. In this article, we share barriers, key strategies, and resources that surfaced.
Governor JB Pritzker presented his proposed 2025–26 budget on February 19, which maintains largely stable funding for K-12 and higher education with modest increases for Career and Technical Education and the Monetary Award Program, building on the past several years of progress and extending several impactful initiatives.
Recent data releases provide reasons for hope and highlight areas of improvement for college and career readiness initiatives in Illinois. Read our analysis and recommendations for improving equitable outcomes.
The Success Network’s annual conference featured national, state, and regional leaders sharing best practices and lessons learned for advancing equitable postsecondary attainment.
This webinar, hosted by the Success Network and presented by JFF, shared emerging national research and new tools that can support the development of pathways that lead not only to careers, but to connection and choice.
The Success Network hosted representatives from the Michigan College Access Network and the Michigan Department of Education to share their new toolkit for sharing the benefits of college in high school opportunities with students and families.
EdSystems is supporting SWIC and its school district and employer partners in developing high-quality, comprehensive college and career pathways leading to regionally in-demand occupations.
Spanning local, regional, and statewide work, Education Systems Center’s new policy agenda seeks to increase equitable student access and outcomes
Fulton High School hosted the I-WIN community for an in-person tour of the Steamer Suite, a rentable event space that doubles as an in-house work-based learning opportunity for culinary arts, business, industrial arts, and media publications pathway students.
On January 27, EdSystems hosted a webinar to launch our new policy agenda to improve student access and success in Illinois.
Learn about community insights on navigating employer partnerships, including growing employer partnerships, balancing paid vs. unpaid internships, and aligning student interests with industry needs.
To support actionable policy development for high-impact college and career readiness strategies, EdSystems is participating in a cross-state community of practice.
New data shows a significant increase in Illinois students earning College and Career Pathway Endorsements, demonstrating the program’s growing success while highlighting areas for continued improvement.
Joliet Junior College’s work-based learning continuum in industrial maintenance is generating positive outcomes for both students and industry partners. Check out the best practices from their model.
EdSystems is releasing its second report on the utilization of the State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides, focusing on the agriculture, food and natural resources; architecture, construction, and energy; arts and communications; and finance and business services sectors.
In our new analysis of participation data for our STAMP program, we ask: Are students who face the most significant barriers to opportunity obtaining skills that can positively shape their economic trajectories? Do persistence and success through skill-based learning programs differ for students in low-income households?
Our youth apprenticeship program has introduced a new, innovative component to empower young people and drive positive community change while advancing EdSystems’ mission: youth action research.
To support the scaling of College and Career Pathway Endorsements across Illinois, EdSystems is announcing a new quality criteria framework developed in partnership with diverse practitioners across the state, which aims to foster innovation, equity, and continuous improvement.
To help communities enhance their work-based learning programs and ensure equitable access for schools with varying capacities, EdSystems is releasing the new “Scaling Work-Based Learning: Quality Criteria for Continuous Improvement and Equity” resource.
EdSystems, in partnership with the Illinois Community College Board, is releasing updated versions of eight of the State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides to reflect updated labor market information. Share your public comment on the new drafts.
At EdSystems, we embody our commitment to racial equity and learner preparation through our youth apprenticeship program. As we reflect on our program’s first year, we’re refining mentorship strategies and addressing key questions for improvement, all while preparing for the next cohort.
On May 21, 2024, the EdSystems team introduced changes to eight Model Programs of Study Guides and how to share your public comment.
Alongside a statewide advisory, EdSystems has developed high-quality criteria for work-based learning in support of the College and Career Pathway Endorsements framework. The draft resource is open for public comment until May 31.
Given the widespread embrace of College and Career Pathway Endorsements across Illinois, EdSystems has developed a quality criteria framework in partnership with diverse practitioners across the state aimed at fostering innovation, equity, and continuous improvement. The framework and its six components are open for public comment through May 27.
The May 9, 2024, showcase of the Scaling Transformative Advanced Manufacturing Pathways (STAMP) initiative featured participating collaboratives from regions across Illinois sharing how they are creating high-quality and equitable manufacturing pathways to help meet the demand for skilled manufacturing workers in Illinois.
How can we ensure high quality, continuous improvement, and equity in work-based learning opportunities? On April 29, 2024, our statewide advisory group shared insights from a new resource for stakeholders, now open for public comment.
On April 25, 2024, we provide an overview of the new “Quality Criteria for College and Career Pathways Implementation” document, which is now available for public comment.
In partnership with JFF and College of Lake County, EdSystems is supporting the design and implementation of a new dual enrollment hub to help improve educational outcomes for high-need high school students.
Members of the Success Network Student Advisory Council and the Career and Technical Student Organization Student Board showcased research on dual credit and career and technical education courses statewide and offered recommendations for addressing barriers.
On March 19, 2024, Genesys Works and Junior Achievement of Central Illinois, along with their high school partners, shared how they collaborate to design and implement inclusive and equitable experiences for students.
Governor JB Pritzker presented his proposed 2024–25 budget on February 21, which maintains largely stable funding for K-12 and higher education with notable increases for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the Monetary Award Program (MAP), building on the past several years of progress and extending several impactful initiatives.
In their ongoing commitment to enhance college and career pathway development, EdSystems is supporting Joliet Junior College in designing and implementing equitable work-based learning opportunities for high school students throughout the region.
Through the scaling of the GPEAK badging system, a growing number of communities are preparing students for productive lives and careers by developing innovative training programs aligned to Illinois’ essential employability competencies.
The Success Network Policy Committee convened to look deeper into the Illinois Report Card 2022–23 data and other data surrounding the state’s P-20 pipeline.
In 2023, the Illinois Education and Career Success Network continued to expand its reach and impact through thoughtful convenings, growing the Network, engagement with students, new supports and funding opportunities for Leadership Communities, re-launching the data dashboard, and exploring policy and practice with the Policy Committee.
We dive into the latest release of the Illinois Report Card, revealing dynamic shifts in CTE outcomes and a wave of opportunity in dual credit enrollment. We share our perspective on the data shaping the future of college and career readiness for Illinois students.
Review the recording and resources from the December 6, 2023 meeting of the full Success Network Policy Committee.
EdSystems supported City Colleges of Chicago in designing extended model pathways from high school through college degree completion and developed student-facing resources to support recruitment.
At I-WIN’s first in-person event, partners toured Panther Credit Union, an on-site banking and finance work-based learning opportunity at Oswego High School. Heather Penczak details how the career development experience works and its impact on students.
How are the Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides being utilized statewide by community colleges and their high school partners? Are the guides useful in helping regions design high-quality college and career pathways? What additional information and support do regions need to better align with the guides? EdSystems and the Illinois Community College Board seek to answer those questions through our new State of Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides: Utilization Report.
EdSystems has released a three-pronged inquiry into evaluating early pathways into the education profession, as conducted by researchers from the College of Education at Northern Illinois University. It includes (1) an evaluation framework, (2) the feasibility of using the ILDS to analyze outcomes, and (3) a pilot study.
The number of school districts implementing College & Career Pathway Endorsements is increasing exponentially. To support statewide scaling, the Illinois State Board of Education has drafted a set of administrative rules that will soon be open for public comment. In this post, we examine the growth of the endorsement system and share our review of the pending rules, which point to a significant level of momentum in Illinois regarding college and career pathways.
Manufacturing has long been a male-dominated field, but the future of this industry depends on inclusivity and fresh perspectives. We gathered insights from manufacturing experts on supporting young women in manufacturing pathways. This collaborative effort has resulted in a resource that offers practical guidance for students at any stage of their career journey.
On October 19, 2023, Success Network Leadership Communities shared lessons learned in implementing learning renewal efforts.
Alongside state and local leaders from across Illinois, we have been engaging in a design thinking process as innovation cohort participants of the Launch initiative. Through this process, we are working to identify systems-level barriers to equitable access and outcomes and develop innovative solutions for pressing challenges in postsecondary transitions and success.
Five early adopters—Illinois Valley Community College, Joliet Junior College, Kaskaskia College, Sauk Valley Community College, and Shawnee Community College—are releasing new incentives to Illinois students who earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement.
At the State Dual Enrollment Academy, the Illinois team learned about developing equitable student supports and shared our state’s extensive work to promote intentional dual credit experiences for students through aligned policy.
Recent wins for Illinois college and career readiness efforts include legislation to improve the Illinois Articulation Initiative for education pathways, plus budget increases for the evidence-based funding formula, CTE, dual credit, student financial aid, and a teacher pipeline pilot.
The Accelerated Model Pathways for Information Technology (AMP-IT) initiative is expanding to 16 additional Illinois high schools, thanks to support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Review the recording and resources from the September 13, 2023 meeting of the full Success Network Policy Committee.
The first-of-its-kind Illinois Career Pathways Dictionary now includes expanded and updated definitions as well as resources and implementation guidance on a new website, pathwaysdictionary.org.
EdSystems developed quality criteria to inform the implementation and evaluation of Illinois’ College and Career Pathway Endorsement and work-based learning.
To understand the potential impact of the College and Career Pathway Endorsement, EdSystems developed both a pathways evaluation framework and a ROI analysis framework.
On October 31, three communities shared their innovative approaches for advising students, especially those from underrepresented groups, as they pursue career pathways.
To support the scaling of high-quality IT pathways in response to employer demand, collaborators in our Accelerated Model Pathways for Information Technology initiative designed a three-tier model giving students the potential to earn 30+ early college credits. Check out our blueprint, what we’ve learned, and how we are engaging student voices in the process.
The new Success Network dashboard will equip communities with robust data tools to help regions identify goals and make informed decisions.
From work-based learning to pathway design to creating currency for students, EdSystems is learning valuable lessons through the Scaling Transformative Advanced Manufacturing Pathways (STAMP) initiative, a partnership with the IMA Education Foundation.
Review the recording and resources from the June 6, 2023 meeting of the full Success Network Policy Committee.
To help encourage learners to complete the rigorous requirements and earn a College and Career Pathways Endorsement and matriculate into postsecondary, EdSystems is supporting the development of equity-centered strategies and incentives for students.
What are college and career pathways, and why should employers get involved in training the next generation? In their March 27 edition, Crain’s Chicago Business tackled that question through two articles.
Review the recording and resources from the March 23, 2023 meeting of the full Success Network Policy Committee.
Find out how your school district or college can support manufacturing pathway students in applying for a new scholarship.
For the first time, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Education Foundation, in partnership with EdSystems, is offering a scholarship to Illinois students who graduate high school having earned the College and Career Pathway Endorsement in Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades. The scholarship application is now open!
Throughout Illinois, community colleges, alongside their high school counterparts, are creating unique incentives to increase the rate of students earning the College and Career Pathway Endorsement.
EdSystems is proud to announce it has received a three-year, $165,000 grant to strengthen work-based learning and launch an education research collaborative in the Belvidere and Rockford region. The grant was awarded by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois’ Community Grants Program.
EdSystems is excited to announce our selection as one of 11 states participating in Launch: Equitable & Accelerated Pathways for All. Launch is a national college and career pathways initiative that strives for every learner to have access to and succeed in high-quality and equitable pathways.
In 2023, EdSystems began supporting Waukegan CUSD 60 and its regional partners with targeted support for alignment to the Illinois College and Career Pathway Endorsement and systems for career exploration.
The Success Network Policy Committee reviewed data, including secondary measures and postsecondary transition measures at an annual data deep dive convening on January 25, 2023.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for manufacturing pathway students.
As organizations return to hosting in-person events, how do we acknowledge and design around the challenges communities have faced in recent years while inspiring more people of all ages to pursue high-quality occupations in in-demand fields? EdSystems worked with three Illinois communities to address that question.
Quick Takes is based on results from the Student Voices Evaluation of Scaling Education Pathways in Illinois (SEPI), released in October 2022, which focuses on the perspective of students participating in education pathways.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for health sciences pathway students.
In 2022, the Success Network expanded its reach and impact through thoughtful convenings, engagement with students, new supports and funding opportunities for Leadership Communities, and the launch of a new policy committee.
Review the recording and resources from the December 14, 2022 launch meeting of the full Success Network Policy Committee.
EdSystems staffs the Success Network’s Policy Committee to foster collaboration and peer learning, elevate local practice to inform state policy, and support local practitioners.
Celebrating the Illinois Education and Career Success Network’s tenth anniversary, join us at the annual conference to be equipped and inspired to advance equitable postsecondary attainment across Illinois.
Education Systems Center is excited to announce our two newest Model Programs of Study Guides in Human & Public Service and Culinary & Hospitality. The guides were finalized in October 2022.
Together with the Illinois Community College Board, we are supporting a cohort of community colleges to develop competency-based education programs in both welding and industrial maintenance.
As part of the Middle Skills Pathways in Chicago project, we’re releasing six new analyses for the sectors of Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources; Architecture, Construction, & Energy; Arts & Communications; Culinary & Hospitality; Finance & Business Services; and Human & Public Services.
An overview of resources in the work-based learning continuum for education pathway students.
On August 15, 2022, EdSystems and more than 160 partners from across the state delivered a letter to IBHE, ICCB, and Illinois Articulation Initiative to request increased transferability of major coursework for future educators seeking to teach in elementary and secondary settings.
An archive of work-based learning blog posts from the Illinois Work-Based Learning Innovation Network.
Download drafts for the Illinois Model Programs of Study Guides in Culinary Arts and Hospitality and Human and Public Services plus a newly revised Education Guide.
As part of EdSystems’ Health Sciences Career Exploration and Career Development Experience Pilot, Rush Education and Career Hub and Chicago Public Schools piloted a new Career Exploration event designed with inclusion in mind.
EdSystems led a pilot project to support healthcare workforce development through intergenerational work-based learning.
Resources to orient educators to the College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) system and its implementation.
EdSystems is proud to announce our participation in Accelerate ED: Seamless Pathways to Degrees and Careers, an initiative that seeks to blur the lines between high school and higher education and career learning experiences, allowing students to earn a career-aligned credential or degree by the end of one additional year after high school.
The AMP-IT initiative is engaging school districts and their community college and employer partners to design and launch an accelerated IT pathway.
STAMP serves secondary districts in implementing manufacturing pathways that align to the College and Career Pathway Endorsement, with a particular focus on historically marginalized students.
JFF’s podcast welcomed Jon Furr as a special guest to discuss addressing equity barriers in college and career pathways.
© 2025 Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University. All rights reserved.
