Resource Library
The Pathways Resource Library is a central hub of research and tools designed to drive innovation in education-to-workforce pathways. It contains a wide selection of resources organized by topic, audience, region, and type, allowing you to easily locate materials that fit your needs.
Article, Research Report
Failing on Purpose
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This survey explores the perspectives and experiences of those in closest contact with the American education system—namely parents, current students, and recent graduates. In partnership with YouGov, American Compass surveyed representative American parents young adults about their views on the purpose of public education; their reflections on the way that the school system has performed; and their desire for reforms to both K–12 schools and higher education. They found that Americans want (1) a public education system less focused on college, more focused on preparing people to build decent lives in their communities, and (2) education reforms to emphasize non-college pathways.
White Paper
Degrees of Risk: What Gen Z and Employers Think About Education-to-Career Pathways… and How Those Views are Changing
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This is an examination of what is required to make a person employable, as well as what professional and educational success looks like. This study was commissioned by American Student Assistance (ASA) and Jobs for the Future (JFF). The research aimed to understand current familiarity with and perceptions of non-degree postsecondary pathways from both Gen Z and employer perspectives. This paper also makes recommendations for the way forward to expand high-quality postsecondary options for all learners.
Research Report
Question the Status Quo: Gen Z Teens Have Changed Their Priorities for Education and Work
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Research Report
Spotlight on Black STARs: Insights for Employers to Access the Skilled and Diverse Talent They’ve Been Missing
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
As employers seek to revitalize and diversify their talent pipelines, Opportunity@Work offers insights to inform employers’ understanding of where to find Black talent and the skills that Black STARs can bring to their talent pipelines. This report shares three key insights that every employer should know.
Research Report
Unlocking Economic Prosperity
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Research Report
Family Voices
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Faced with unprecedented change in the postsecondary landscape, America's families are wrestling with questions of college, careers, skills development and meaningful work. This study aimed to understand American parents' aspirations for their children after high school, as well as the barriers they face to following a preferred postsecondary path.
Toolkit
Communicating the Value of Apprenticeships
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This short tool offers persuasive arguments that shows how youth apprenticeships benefit both young career seekers and businesses alike. For employers, it demonstrates how apprenticeships can fill labor gaps across industries, and act as a reliable source of nationally credentialed, ready-to-work job candidates. Youth are offered access to paid work-based training in high-growth fields and the significant earnings potential.
Toolkit
Credit for Prior Learning Messaging Toolkit
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This toolkit provides effective messages targeted to key audiences and strategies for dissemination to increase participation in Credit for Prior Learning among adult learners who are pursuing career pathways and CTE programs of study that lead to jobs in in-demand fields.
Playbook or Guidebook
Building a Communications and Marketing Strategy in a State or Institution for Incremental Credentialing
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Communications and marketing are critical in the effort to transform the nation’s degree-centric postsecondary model to an incremental credentialing system. To support such a major transformation, communications and marketing are needed at three levels: state and institution Wide, individual credential and program levels, and nationwide. This Playbook focuses on the first of these.
Filters
Article, Research Report
Failing on Purpose
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This survey explores the perspectives and experiences of those in closest contact with the American education system—namely parents, current students, and recent graduates. In partnership with YouGov, American Compass surveyed representative American parents young adults about their views on the purpose of public education; their reflections on the way that the school system has performed; and their desire for reforms to both K–12 schools and higher education. They found that Americans want (1) a public education system less focused on college, more focused on preparing people to build decent lives in their communities, and (2) education reforms to emphasize non-college pathways.
White Paper
Degrees of Risk: What Gen Z and Employers Think About Education-to-Career Pathways… and How Those Views are Changing
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This is an examination of what is required to make a person employable, as well as what professional and educational success looks like. This study was commissioned by American Student Assistance (ASA) and Jobs for the Future (JFF). The research aimed to understand current familiarity with and perceptions of non-degree postsecondary pathways from both Gen Z and employer perspectives. This paper also makes recommendations for the way forward to expand high-quality postsecondary options for all learners.
Research Report
Question the Status Quo: Gen Z Teens Have Changed Their Priorities for Education and Work
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Research Report
Spotlight on Black STARs: Insights for Employers to Access the Skilled and Diverse Talent They’ve Been Missing
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
As employers seek to revitalize and diversify their talent pipelines, Opportunity@Work offers insights to inform employers’ understanding of where to find Black talent and the skills that Black STARs can bring to their talent pipelines. This report shares three key insights that every employer should know.
Research Report
Unlocking Economic Prosperity
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Research Report
Family Voices
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Faced with unprecedented change in the postsecondary landscape, America's families are wrestling with questions of college, careers, skills development and meaningful work. This study aimed to understand American parents' aspirations for their children after high school, as well as the barriers they face to following a preferred postsecondary path.
Toolkit
Communicating the Value of Apprenticeships
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This short tool offers persuasive arguments that shows how youth apprenticeships benefit both young career seekers and businesses alike. For employers, it demonstrates how apprenticeships can fill labor gaps across industries, and act as a reliable source of nationally credentialed, ready-to-work job candidates. Youth are offered access to paid work-based training in high-growth fields and the significant earnings potential.
Toolkit
Credit for Prior Learning Messaging Toolkit
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This toolkit provides effective messages targeted to key audiences and strategies for dissemination to increase participation in Credit for Prior Learning among adult learners who are pursuing career pathways and CTE programs of study that lead to jobs in in-demand fields.
Playbook or Guidebook
Building a Communications and Marketing Strategy in a State or Institution for Incremental Credentialing
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
Communications and marketing are critical in the effort to transform the nation’s degree-centric postsecondary model to an incremental credentialing system. To support such a major transformation, communications and marketing are needed at three levels: state and institution Wide, individual credential and program levels, and nationwide. This Playbook focuses on the first of these.








