Illinois PaCE
Illinois PaCE Postsecondary and Career Expectations
Each student should have an individualized learning plan to help make decisions about career and post-secondary (PS) education or training, to plan a course of study, and to make financial aid assessments with family members.
By the end of 8th grade
A student should be supported to:
complete a career cluster survey
attend a career exploration day
complete a unit on education planning
be exposed to a financial literacy unit in a course or workshop
A student should know:
the concept of career cluster of interest
relationship between community service/extracurricular activities and postsecondary (PS)/career goals
By the end of 9th grade
A student should be supported to:
revisit career cluster interest survey and take a career interest survey
complete an orientation to career clusters
meet with a counselor to discuss coursework and PS/career plans using the ISBE College and Career Readiness Indicators
begin determining eligibility for advanced placement (AP) courses
outline a plan for community service and extracurricular activities related to PS plans
complete a financial aid assessment with a family member
A student should know:
one or two career clusters for further exploration and development
the relationship between HS coursework, attendance, and grades to PS plans
importance of community service and extracurricular activities to PS and career plans
By the end of 10th grade
A student should be supported to:
visit at least one workplace aligned with career interest
complete an orientation curse to a particular career cluster or cluster grouping
select a career pathway (CP) within a career cluster of interest
begin determining eligibility for AP courses
identify 2-3 adults to support the student through the PS an career selection process
review coursework, and PS/career plans in relation to the ISBE College and Career Readiness Indicators (every year)
attend a PS affordability workshop with a family member
A student should know:
educational requirements, cost, expected entry level, and midpoint salary for occupations in selected CP
different types of PS credentials and institutions
general timing of PS entrance exams and applications
benefit of early college credit opportunities to PS access and completion
By the end of 11th grade
A student should be supported to:
participate in a mock job interview
create a resume and personal statement
identify an internship opportunity related to the CP
determine readiness for college-level coursework in math/ELA and enrollment in either “catch up” or “speed up” course
complete or enroll in at least one early college credit opportunity
visit at least 3 PS institutions
take at least one college entrance exam
A student should know:
application deadlines, test timing, cost, and preparation for industry-based certification for CP
career attributes related to career interests
entrance requirements, including application deadlines, for expected PS programs of study
3-5 match schools, one safety, one reach school for PS program of study
By the end of 12th grade
By 12/31 of 12th grade a student should have:
completed 3 or more admissions applications to PS institutions
met with a school counselor to ensure all steps in the PS admissions process are completed on time
attended a FAFSA completion workshop
By the end of 12th grad a student should be supported to:
address any remedial needs in math/ELA
obtain an internship opportunity related to the CP
if applicable, receive industry-based certification(s) related to the CP
complete one or more team-based challenges or projects related to the CP
attend a financial aid award letter workshop
A student should know:
how CP courses and experiences articulate to degree programs at PS options
estimated cost of each PS option
affordability of PS options in relation to expected entry-level career salary and anticipated debt