What I will, I can
PaCE Framework
Post-Secondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Framework
Each student should have an individualized 4-year learning plan to help make decisions on careers and post-secondary education or training, plan a course of study, and make financial aid assessments with family members.
End of 9th Grade
A student should be supported to:
- Complete a career cluster survey
- Attend a post-secondary (PS) options workshop or event
- Take the Pre-ACT 9
- Connect and build relationships with 2-3 adults to support the PS and career selection process
- Meet with counselor to develop a 4-year academic plan related to career interest and review graduation credit requirements
- Begin reviewing pathways for Advanced Placement/Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment/Certification courses
- Outline a plan for community service and extracurricular activities related to post-secondary career interests
- Attend an elective fair
- Understand that taking the right courses in high school can reduce the cost of college
A student should know:
- Educational requirements, cost, salary, and skills related to career interests
- On track status in relationship to credits/ enroll in credit recovery as needed
- The relationship between high school coursework, attendance, and grades to post-secondary plans
- Importance of community service and extracurricular activities to PS and career plans
By the end of 9th grade, students begin to align their academic, career, and extracurricular activities with the Portrait of a Morton Graduate, setting the foundation for career, college, and life readiness.
End of 10th Grade
A student should be supported to:
- Complete career interest survey
- Identify a career area of interest: enroll in career pathway courses
- Take the Pre-ACT
- Participate in activities/PS workshop related to career cluster of interest
- Review and update 4-year plan
- Address credit deficiencies related to graduation requirements
- Continue to build relationships with adults to support the PS and career selection process
- Revisit pathways for Advance Placement/Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment/Certification courses
- Explore one workplace experience aligned with career interests
- Explore opportunities along the Work Based Learning Continuum.
- Attend a Portrait of a Morton Graduate Resource Fair
A student should know:
- Educational requirements, cost, salary, and skills related to career interests
- On track status in relationship to credits/ enroll in credit recovery as needed
- The relationship between high school coursework, attendance, and grades to post-secondary plans
- Different types of PS credentials and institutions
- Benefit of early college credit opportunities to PS access and completion
- General cost ranges of various PS options
By the end of 10th grade, students deepen their career exploration through surveys, workplace experiences, and connections with adults, while refining their post-secondary goals and reviewing their 4-year academic plan.
End of 11th Grade
A student should be supported to:
- Revisit career interests
- Take the ACT
- Review and update four-year plan
- Address credit deficiencies related to graduation requirements
- Develop a post-secondary plan that aligns with career interests and PS education and/or training
- Complete an experience within the Work Based Learning Continuum
- Complete at least one early college credit opportunity
- Attend a college fair
- Visit at least three PS institutions
- Create a resume
- Explore PS financial aid planning
A student should know:
- On track status in relationship to credits/ enroll in credit recovery as needed
- The relationship between coursework, attendance, and grades to post-secondary plans and negative impact of remediation on postsecondary goals
- Application deadlines, test timing, cost, and preparation for industry-based certification for career pathway
- Entrance requirements, including application deadlines, for expected PS programs of study
- 3-5 match schools, one safety and one reach school for post-secondary program of study
- Financial aid options for chosen PS options
By the end of 11th grade, students strengthen their career and college readiness through work-based learning, early college credit, and college visits, while developing the self-awareness and decision-making skills central to being life-ready.
End of 12th Grade
By December 31 of 12th grade, a student should be supported to:
- Review and update post-secondary plan that aligns with career interests and PS education and/or training
- Meet with a school counselor to ensure all steps in the PS admission process are completed on time
- Completed three or more admission applications to post-secondary institutions
- Address credit deficiencies related to graduation requirements
- Attend a financial aid workshop
- Complete a financial aid offer workshop
By the end of 12th grade, a student should be supported to:
- Obtain an internship opportunity related to the career pathway if applicable
- If applicable, receive industry-based certification(s) related to the career pathway
- Complete a financial aid application, if needed
A student should know:
- On track status in relationship to credits/ enroll in credit recovery as needed
- How career pathway courses and experiences articulate to degree programs and PS options
- Estimated cost of chosen PS options
- Financial aid deadlines for chosen PS options
- Affordability of PS options in relation to expected entry-level career salary and anticipated debt
- Terms and conditions of any scholarship or loan
By the end of 12th grade, students complete essential steps such as post-secondary applications, financial aid and workshops, ensuring they are career-ready with real-world experience, college-ready with clear pathways for higher education, and life-ready with the financial literacy and planning skills to navigate their future.