SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) today recognized 596 high school graduates in the Class of 2022 who earned College and Career Pathways endorsements on their diplomas – nearly 14 times as many as the 47 endorsements awarded in the Class of 2021. The endorsements earned by the Class of 2022 included 224 in Education and Training, the track for aspiring teachers.
The endorsement works like declaring a major in college. It certifies to colleges, universities, and future employers that the student has specialized in one of seven fields. In addition to the 224 endorsements earned by aspiring teachers in the Education and Training track of Human and Public Services, the Class of 2022 earned endorsements in Health Science Technology; 128 in Finance and Business Services; 30 in Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades; 14 in Information Technology; and two in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. Sixteen school districts participated in the endorsements program in the 2021-22 school year.
“Participation in the College and Career Pathways endorsement program is paving the way to a successful career for a record number of students in every corner of the state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “In Illinois, our young people have the opportunity to begin pursuing their passions early by taking courses that hone real-life skills in a field of their choosing. By earning these endorsements, our future teachers, small business owners, and construction workers will be well equipped to join the most talented workforce in America after graduation.”
“I am so proud of the students who have earned the prestigious College and Career Pathways endorsement. I applaud the school districts offering this opportunity for students to get ahead in college and career preparation and earn recognition for their hard work and success,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala. “I am excited to see the growth of this program. The College and Career Pathway endorsement represents what a well-rounded, hands-on high school experience looks like that prepares young adults for their next step after school. We want all Illinois students to earn endorsements and hope to see more and more districts and students participating in the years to come.”
The Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act, enacted by Illinois lawmakers in 2015, created the endorsements to recognize and incentivize student attainment of knowledge and skills important for success in both college and employment. The pathway to achieving the prestigious endorsement gets students thinking earlier about potential careers and seamlessly connects their high school experience to their next step after graduation. The endorsement also lets colleges, universities, and employers know that students know what they want to do for a career and have the skills and knowledge to be successful in their chosen field.
Students in participating school districts earn endorsements by:
- Creating an individualized college and career plan;
- Engaging in hands-on career exploration and workplace-based preparation experiences like internships;
- Completing two years of coursework, including earning at least six hours of early college credit, that equals a postsecondary credential with labor market value; and
- Meeting the standards for non-remedial college coursework.
Sixteen districts awarded endorsements to graduates in the Class of 2022:
- Amboy Community Unit School District #272 – three Human and Public Services endorsements
- Cobden Unit School District #17 – six Human and Public Services endorsements
- Community High School District 99 – one Finance and Business Services; 10 Human and Public Services; one Information Technology; and four Manufacturing, Engineering, Transportation and Trades endorsements
- Dixon Public Schools District 170 – two Human and Public Services endorsements
- Forrestville Valley Community Unit School District 221 – one Human and Public Services endorsement
- Grayslake Community High School District 127 – five Health Sciences and Technology endorsements
- High School District 214 – two Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; 127 Finance and Business Services; 54 Health Sciences and Technology; 80 Human and Public Services; 13 Information Technology; and 12 Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades endorsements
- Huntley Community School District 158 – one Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades; and two Health Science Technologies endorsements
- Johnston City Community Unit School District #1 – five Health Sciences and Technology and three Human and Public Services endorsements
- Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 – 10 Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades; and two Human and Public Services endorsements
- Naperville Community Unit School District 203 – 29 Human and Public Services endorsements
- Ridgewood High School District 234 – three Human and Public Services; and two Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades endorsements
- Rock Falls Township High School District 301 – four Human and Public Services endorsements
- Rockford School District 205 – seven Human and Public Services endorsements
- Township High School District 211 – 121 Health Sciences and Technology and 60 Human and Public Services endorsements
- Vienna High School District 133 – 14 Human and Public Services; one Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades; and 11 Health Sciences and Technology endorsements
