The growing focus on aligning high school education with workforce demands presents an exciting opportunity to empower students. By reimagining traditional pathways, we can better equip young people with the advanced technical, analytical and interpersonal skills essential for thriving in higher-wage, high-demand industries.
Seven states took bold steps in 2024 to strengthen their K-12 pathways to college and beyond, ensuring students are better prepared for meaningful careers. From redesigning high school to expanding apprenticeship opportunities, these forward-thinking initiatives are shaping the future of the workforce and empowering the next generation to succeed.
A recent Gallup survey reported 32 percent of Hoosier parents of 12th graders said their child is not prepared for their next step after high school. To address this challenge, Indiana policymakers introduced a high school redesign proposal that promises to transform each student’s educational journey and improve lifelong success as they transition into college and the workforce.
The redesign has three focus areas:
The redesign aims to better prepare students for college or career.
Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana legislature also adopted a measure to streamline work-based learning programs, improve state assessments and add computer science as a graduation requirement.
In 2024, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed several bills that built on a strong foundation of policies to improve pathways to college or career for the state’s students. The new laws guarantee students’ course credits transfer among higher education institutions; create a tax credit that will make higher education and technical training more affordable for students; and authorize a return-on-investment (ROI) analysis of Colorado’s K-12 college and career pathways.
The Iowa legislature expanded work-based learning by establishing a $30 million Workforce Opportunity Fund to help schools sustain work-based learning programs. Strengthening the definition of ‘work-based’ and allowing for work-based learning credit to be awarded when experiences occur outside of school, including during the summer. Iowa students will now have more access to quality work-based learning that will deepen experiences and strengthen their career opportunities in the future.
Pennsylvania approved college pathway legislation to guarantee the transfer of credits among public institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania. The new law also guarantees admission for community college students with associate’s degrees into parallel baccalaureate programs. This legislation will support students in completing their degrees by reducing the potential loss of time and money in taking credits that don’t count if they transfer.
Gov. Kay Ivey, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and the Alabama legislature adopted the Alabama Workforce Transformation Act to strengthen the state’s governance of education-to-workforce pathways. The law will bring nearly all the state’s workforce-related infrastructure under the new Department of Workforce and establishes the Alabama Workforce Board as the state’s workforce development board. This organizational shift will improve the strategic vision, alignment and coordination of education-to-workforce initiatives and investments, while minimizing silos and inefficiencies and strengthening outcomes.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation to create an alternative graduation pathway for high school dropouts. This new law creates an alternative graduation program that provides students ages 16–21 who have dropped out of school an opportunity to obtain postsecondary course credits at no cost while earning their high school diploma or equivalent.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed measures to address workforce development. One requires the state to publish a high-demand career list and focus funding on programs that align with in-demand careers. The other creates additional apprenticeship opportunities by increasing the cap on the number of allowable apprentices for employers and providing initial funding for apprenticeships.
As workforce needs continue to evolve, states must better connect their K-12 education systems to the systems that will eventually employ their graduates and prepare them for future careers.
The 2024 legislative efforts show states are rising to the challenge. From redesigning high school to robust work-based learning programs, these initiatives are setting the stage for stronger economic growth and individual success.
We expect the momentum to continue; 2025 promises even more innovative strategies to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow while building a more resilient and adaptable workforce.
Click here to read the rest of this blog series, where we summarize which states took action on key, trending 2024 education legislation.
