Earlier this summer, Ohio policymakers unveiled a revamped industry credentials framework that—if implemented well—will encourage students to attain credentials of value.
Ohio’s two new education and workforce outcomes dashboards are a welcome addition to Ohio’s K-12 education transparency. They have the potential to serve a wide range of stakeholders, but especially students and their families. We take a look at them both.
In Ohio, the big news in the career pathways realm is the state’s recent revamp of the
For more than a decade, Ohio’s dual credit program, known as College Credit Plus (CCP), has helped academically eligible students in grades 7–12 take college courses for free.
Ohio’s industry-recognized credentialing system for high-schoolers ballooned out of control in recent years—wasting time, inflating grad rates, and leaving thousands of students with unmarketable credentials. All that’s about to stop, and we explain why.
NOTE: This piece originally appeared at The 74, under a different title.
Rapidly growing numbers of Ohio students attain industry recognized credentials during high school, reflecting recent policy incentives that encourage their attainment. Our latest report examines the college and workforce outcomes of Ohio students who earn such credentials.
NOTE: Today, the Ohio Senate Education Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 32
Over the last decade, Ohio leaders have been working toward establishing the key components of a purposeful pathway to help graduates successfully transition from high school to careers. Senate Bill 328 would help push that work forward.
The Commission on Purposeful Pathways is a national initiative aiming to help young people successfully transition from high school to careers. Launched in 2025 and facilitated by Education First, the commission consists of national experts—leaders, practitioners, and researchers from K–12, higher education, and workforce—as well as young adults.
Ohio has grown the number and quality of its work-based learning pathways in recent years, but there’s more that could be done. Indiana provides a great example that could be adapted here if policymakers are willing.
A new bill introduced in the state Senate offers a great opportunity for Ohio to build on the career-connected learning foundation lawmakers have already established. Here’s a look at two key provisions that should help students make a smoother journey from school to career.
Introductory economics teaches students to distinguish between complements and substitutes. Complements are interdependent goods: things like hot dogs and buns. Substitutes, on the other hand, are products that can replace each other, like coffee and tea.
Recent nationwide poll results indicate that voters support maintaining and expanding career-connected learning opportunities like the ones Gov. DeWine has been prioritizing here in Ohio. Policymakers should keep this in mind going forward.
Ohio is going back to the drawing board to revamp how high school students can use industry-recognized credentials to graduate. Here are two critical fixes and how other states have successfully addressed them.
Requiring a career exploration course in middle school would be a great way to start Ohio students on the path toward degree and credential attainment. Knowing where they want to go will help make the journey easier and more direct.
Acquisition of workforce credentials—certificates or licenses that are earned over a short time period and which signal mastery of a specific career-relevant skill—has surged in recent years. For example, U.S.
Rigorous career-and-technical education (CTE) can give students an edge when they enter the workforce, while also benefitting employers seeking skilled workers. But just how many students in Ohio avail themselves to CTE opportunities during high school? And what does CTE look like when they participate in such programs? Our latest report provides an overview of recent trends in CTE participation across the Buckeye State.
Ohio’s new state budget impacts many areas of K-12 education, including career-connected learning? By our reckoning, their efforts resulted in one important win but also three missed opportunities.
Over the last few years, Ohioans have grown accustomed to headlines declaring that the Buckeye State is poised for massive economic growth. Intel announced plans to spend $28 billion on two chip factories in New Albany.
Under the leadership of Governor DeWine, Ohio has made expanding and improving career pathways a top priority.
Over the past decade, Ohio policymakers have made upgrading career-technical education (CTE) a top state priority. Yet the CTE landscape remains complicated and quickly evolving, none more so than in the area of funding. This paper provides an overview of the various funding mechanisms for CTE, including state and federal programs that aim to provide students with high-quality CTE.
Ohio’s current efforts to help high schoolers earn credentials before graduation are working, but there are flaws in the system that must be fixed. Gov. DeWine’s latest budget proposals are a start, but here’s how to make them even better.
For years, career-technical education (CTE) was saddled with a bad reputation.
Ohio students are earning industry-recognized credentials in record numbers. But it's unclear whether doing so will boost graduates’ job or income prospects. Here are two important measures the state can use to determine the value of credentials.
Since taking office in 2019, Governor DeWine has prioritized expanding and improving
Expanding and improving career pathways for secondary students is an increasingly important priority for Ohio policymakers. As such, it will likely be a focal point during the upcoming state budget cycle.
Work-based learning initiatives provide a direct connection between K–12 education and the workforce. They offer students invaluable work experience, hands-on training with experienced mentors, and a chance to apply technical skills and develop soft skills. They give employers an opportunity to bolster talent pipelines and train future staff on in-demand skills.
One of the hallmarks of Governor DeWine’s administration has been its emphasis on expanding and improving career pathways for students. Thus, it came as no surprise that the governor focused on this critical issue in his recent state of the state address.
Last January, during his 2023 state of the state address, Governor DeWine pledged to invest additional state funding in career and technical education (CTE) programs.
