Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Career-Readiness
More than ever, schools and LEAs are developing creative ways to ensure that every student, regardless of life circumstances, can obtain a high-quality postsecondary credential that prepares them for success in the global economy. New Jersey aims to support students by providing hands-on exposure to multiple professional pathways beyond high school and rich learning experiences to prepare all students for college and careers; while strengthening and improving the education-workforce ecosystem. For instance, high schools may provide advanced or accelerated academic courses, college-level dual enrollment courses, and/or career- and job skills training experiences.
The following chart offers a variety of ideas for actionable ways that LEAs can spend ESSER and other federal funds to support all students to be ready for college and careers. Many of these activities can also be supported by other Federal funding streams once districts and schools have exhausted their ESSER funds. The sustained activities increase equitable access and affordability of postsecondary preparation opportunities for all students, which is particularly vital for the participation of students from underserved communities and most impacted by COVID-19. As always, existing Federal regulations continue to apply, and LEA staff should check with the appropriate program provisions to ensure that any expenditure is allowable in their context and under that funding stream.
Key for tables: Y = Yes, likely to be an allowable use of these funds; N = No, unlikely to be an allowable use of these funds
Activities that may be funded
1. Offer early college high school, dual or concurrent enrollment programs, or other courses designed to help students achieve success in postsecondary education.
- Provide time and support for LEA/school staff teams to reexamine LEA policies on dual enrollment with colleges and other Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs).
- Reach out to IHEs to identify, strengthen, or build dual enrollment class options.
- Develop targeted dual enrollment programs around specific career paths, such as pre-education/teacher certification, pre-engineering, pre-business, or other more trade skill-based career paths. Identify specific students to access these programs, especially in 8th or 9th grades at the start of high school.
- Work with special education staff to identify opportunities for students with disabilities to incorporate such courses into their IEPs, as appropriate.
- Explore scheduling options to help students access dual enrollment options during the school year and summer time frames. See if there is flexibility in school day schedules to allow students to take dual enrollment classes during the school day.
| ESEA Title I-A | ESEA Title II | ESEA Title III-A | ESEA Title IV-A | McKinney-Vento | Adult Education and Family Literacy Act |
IDEA | Perkins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y | Y | N | Y | N | N | Y | Y |
2. Find students who may have left/aged out of high school during the pandemic without graduating and provide them with educational supports to achieve a GED or diploma.
- Build and/or connect students with career- and job-skills based programs.
- Identify and publicize community-based programs that may be already set up to support dropouts and other students needing additional supports to build skills for college and/or careers.
- Fund staff time (or hire staff) to find and work with students one to one to identify individual needs and develop a plan of action to reengage them in appropriate/needed learning.
| ESEA Title I-A | ESEA Title II | ESEA Title III-A | ESEA Title IV-A | McKinney-Vento | Adult Education and Family Literacy Act |
IDEA | Perkins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
3. Support students, when appropriate, in utilizing Individualized Student Learning Opportunities (also known as Option 2 classes). These are student experiences based upon specific instructional objectives that meet or exceed the NJ Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) at the high school level. Such opportunities may target any NJSLS and the experiences may include, but are not limited to, independent study, online learning, study-abroad programs, student exchange programs, and college-level coursework that meets or exceeds NJSLS.
- Use Option 2 to help students make up classes that they might have missed or otherwise not completed effectively. Develop a list of Option 2 courses that students can take to build career skills, particularly in areas that LEAs do not already offer coursework.
- Work with building-level administrators and staff to create flexible scheduling that allows students to participate in Option 2 courses.
| ESEA Title I-A | ESEA Title II | ESEA Title III-A | ESEA Title IV-A | McKinney-Vento | Adult Education and Family Literacy Act |
IDEA | Perkins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y | N | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y |
4. Strengthen a school’s/LEA’s career and technical education (CTE) programs:
- Provide academically based job training for high school and college-aged students.
- Build partnerships with businesses to support CTE in out-of-school time settings.
- Ensure that students have the technology needed at school, in job sites, and at home to develop high-quality job skills.
- Build connections with community organizations and businesses to give students real-world experiences and internships.
| ESEA Title I-A | ESEA Title II | ESEA Title III-A | ESEA Title IV-A | McKinney-Vento | Adult Education and Family Literacy Act |
IDEA | Perkins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | Y |
Although this resource discusses Federal laws and regulations, it is intended solely to provide general information and does not constitute legal advice. This guidance provides a general overview of allowable activities, but whether or not a particular cost can be supported with Federal funds depends on the underlying facts and circumstances and State and Federal rules (e.g. New Jersey Treasury Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Uniform Grant Guidelines, respectively). Therefore, an activity listed in this resource may not be allowable in all circumstances, and conversely, an activity not listed in this resource may be allowable. This guide was created to demonstrate how programs, strategies, or initiatives may be supported with Federal funds. Please note a school or local education agency is under no obligation to use its Federal funds for those programs or activities highlighted in this guide.