Tracey Huebner and Grace Calisi – Center for Economic Mobility, WestEd
In this qualitative case study, WestEd examines the career-related studies of five high schools offering the International Baccalaureate’s Career-related Programme (CP) in the United States. Career-related studies, offered and awarded by schools, have a clear career focus, emphasizing applied, real-world learning to prepare students for further education, internships, apprenticeships, or employment. Using the Success Case Method, the study focuses on how these schools’ career-related studies support transferable skill development, strong community partnerships and integrated instruction. Researchers collected data through 16 semi-structured interviews with CP coordinators, educators, alumni, and community partners across the five case-study schools, which were selected for their geographic, demographic and programmatic diversity. Based on the case studies, researchers found three factors that can contribute to successful career-related studies: cultivating postsecondary readiness, building strong community partnerships and integrating career-focused teaching into academics. These elements help to create sustainable pathways that align with local labor-market needs and provide authentic, work-based learning experiences. In this way, career-related studies equip students with transferable skills and clear pathways to further education, training or employment in their field of interest.
