HR0681 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0681 LRB102 26206 MST 35983 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In Illinois, those in higher education and employers alike report an increasing need for secondary and postsecondary graduates with essential and technical employability skills, the skills necessary to succeed in college and career; and

WHEREAS, Thoughtfully constructed college and career readiness systems develop essential and technical employability skills that are transferable to numerous careers and allow students to explore career options and find a pathway while still in the K-12 system; and

WHEREAS, Access to high-quality systems and programming varies extensively across Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Aligning support from State agencies, school districts, postsecondary education providers, employers, and other public and private organizations will lead to the development and implementation of a robust and coordinated college and career readiness system in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly enacted the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act in 2016 to launch four evidence-based strategies to prepare more students for meaningful career opportunities by supporting postsecondary and career planning, promoting and incentivizing competency-based learning programs, reducing remedial education rates, increasing alignment between K-12 and postsecondary education systems, and implementing college and career pathway systems; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with a postsecondary credential, whether it is a college degree or technical certificate, are more likely to be employed and on average can earn 62% more than peers with a high school diploma; and

WHEREAS, Since the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act's inception, districts statewide have been leading implementation of the Act's strategies to place their students on a pathway to a quality postsecondary career or credential; and

WHEREAS, The State has demonstrated a commitment to addressing college and career readiness through the State Perkins Plan, the Higher Education Strategic Plan, the Every Student Succeeds Act State Plan, and the Education and Workforce Equity Act; and

WHEREAS, The State's education and workforce agencies have demonstrated a commitment to seeking opportunities to incentivize greater alignment and integration of secondary and postsecondary education to enhance student experiences and readiness; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that all State education and workforce agencies are urged to celebrate implementation of college and career readiness policies and strategies; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is urged to publish an annual report documenting and recognizing the leadership of districts in the State that are implementing locally adapted Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) frameworks on their website; and be it further

RESOLVED, That ISAC and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are urged to encourage all districts serving any grades from 8th through 12th grades to develop and implement their own local PaCE Framework as part of their college and career preparation efforts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That ISBE and ISAC are urged to encourage districts to extend their local PaCE frameworks into earlier grades to enhance systemic supports for their students; and be it further

RESOLVED, That ISBE is urged to publish an annual report documenting and recognizing the leadership of eligible districts that are implementing College and Career Pathway Endorsements (CCPE) under the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That ISBE is urged to encourage all districts serving any students from 9th through 12th grades to implement the CCPE in multiple areas in collaboration with postsecondary and workforce partners.