Pathways offer several other benefits too. Herdman points to changes in the workforce, most notably the growth of well-paying “middle skill” jobs, like IT coders or health care technicians, that require some postsecondary education but not a four-year degree. Pathways can give students exposure to these lines of work, helping them assess how soon after high school they will enter the workforce or how many years they should invest in a college education. “We’re not locking kids into a chosen Pathway at age 14,” he says, “and it’s also good if they realize while in high school that a certain Pathway is not for them.” Age 14, of course, is when most youths are starting high school, but the Pathways architects are preparing to expose even younger students to the program. PATHWAYS ARE COMING TO MIDDLE SCHOOL This fall, Rhine says, the state will begin testing a pilot Pathways program in six middle schools. Elements that work well would then be gradually implemented statewide, starting in the fall of 2023, he says. “Not every student who enters high school is ready for it, so there’s an uneven playing field,” Rhine says. “If a student doesn’t have a good sense of self, doesn’t know what he wants to do, he’s unable to maximize potential.” The Pathways model for middle school will try to achieve several objectives. Using a combination of classroom programming, coaching and counseling, schools would help students find their own identity and develop a better idea of what they would like to become, Rhine says. Middle school is not too soon for kids to start thinking about their futures, at least in a general way, Rhine and Herdman say. “We want to make clear what it takes to get from Point A to Point B,” Herdman says. “If we can give kids a better idea of what it takes to be what they want to be, they will make better choices about what classes they should take, first in high school and then in college.”

As Pathways continues to grow, the program still remains a work in progress. One of the big challenges is finding work opportunities for high school seniors. [caption id="attachment_226405" align="alignright" width="328"] Paul Herdman
President and CEO of Rodel[/caption] In some cases, the issue is transportation — the difficulty in getting from school to a job site. Schools have found workarounds for some situations, like setting up childcare programs on campus for their early childhood teaching academies or using acreage behind the school for farms for agriculture students. In some fields — banking, technology and construction, for example — restrictions related to age, certifications or insurance liability can limit access to employment. Also, while many employers are accustomed to working with college-age interns, there’s a big difference in putting someone three or four years younger on the payroll, even for part-time work. To solve those issues, “we’re seeing a lot of innovation,” Rhine says. “We’re working more with nonprofits, and with industry councils.” Even with glitches to be resolved, there’s plenty to like about Pathways — for parents, for students and for employers. “It just makes sense,” Herdman says.