Kentucky joins four other states in participating in the Middle School Career Learning Network grant program.
Kentucky is one of five inaugural member states participating in the Middle School Career Impact and Learning Network, a grant program aimed at establishing best practices for middle school career exploration. The initiative, run by American Student Assistance and Education Strategy Group, seeks to advance and accelerate state-level work, while producing strategies and resources for the field.
The Middle School Career Impact and Learning Network aims to foster collaboration, share best practices, and develop actionable resources and policies. Each participating state, including Kentucky, will receive a grant to support their capacity and participation.
The network's core priorities and goals include cross-agency collaboration, monthly virtual sessions and coaching, policy and resource development, three-year partnership plans, and learning from peers. Kentucky's involvement exemplifies how participating states are leveraging national collaboration, tailored support, and strategic planning to build robust, effective middle school career exploration systems.
In Kentucky, the state has committed to monthly coaching sessions to strengthen middle school career exploration work and receive tailored support, troubleshoot challenges, and receive feedback on network participation. Kentucky also plans to convene members of the state team outside of regular engagements as needed for additional planning, discussion, and collaborative development of the partnership plan.
The state has pledged to participate in monthly virtual cross-state network sessions to share best practices, collaborate on problem-solving, and learn from other participants and subject matter experts. Kentucky's team consists of representatives from a state education agency, intermediary organization, school counseling association, state chamber of commerce, and regional employer organization.
Beth Hargis, associate commissioner in the Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Career and Technical Education, reaffirmed Kentucky's commitment to the learning network's goals. Hargis emphasized that Kentucky's state and local leaders are committed to helping middle school students find their career passions.
The "Extending the Runway" report by American Student Assistance and Education Strategy Group concluded that longer career exploration journeys can better position students for life-long economic success and personal fulfillment. Kentucky is proud to be recognized nationally as part of this report and is excited to collaborate with other states through the program.
The report also recommends that state and local leaders consider helping students explore career options in middle school. By doing so, students can discover their interests and passions early, positioning them for future success in both education and the workforce.
The Middle School Career Impact and Learning Network is a significant step towards improving career exploration initiatives for middle school students across the United States. Kentucky's participation and commitment to the program demonstrate the state's dedication to providing students with the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in the future.
- Kentucky, being part of the Middle School Career Impact and Learning Network, will collaborate with other states to develop actionable resources and policies for enhancing middle school career exploration.
- The state of Kentucky has committed to receiving monthly coaching sessions to strengthen middle school career exploration work and foster collaboration with subject matter experts.
- Kentucky's team, consisting of representatives from education, intermediary organizations, counseling associations, chambers of commerce, and regional employers, will participate in monthly virtual sessions to share best practices, problem-solve, and learn from peers.
- Beth Hargis, from Kentucky's Department of Education, affirmed the state's commitment to the network's goals, emphasizing the importance of helping middle school students discover their career passions early, a recommendation from the "Extending the Runway" report.
