On November 29, 2018, PDE released a memo reminding school districts that Pennsylvania’s Career Standards Benchmark, a federal ESSA accountability indicator, begins full implementation in the 2018-19 school year.  Thus, at the conclusion of this school year, it is expected that students will have successfully demonstrated engagement in the PACareer Education and Work Standards by meeting the benchmark as follows:

• Grade 5 (6 pieces of evidence)
• Grade 8 (6 pieces of evidence, one piece of evidence must be the career plan)
• Grade 11 (8 pieces of evidence, portfolio showing implementation of the career plan)

In the 2017-18 school year, PDE developed a Career Readiness guidance document, an Industry Based Learning guidance document,and several Future Ready PA Index e-messages and webinars.  Many valuable career readiness resources are available on the SAS homepage.  Resources include links to career readiness resources, FrequentlyAsked Questions (FAQ), K-12 Guidance Plan Self-Assessment Rubric, and SpecialEducation Career Readiness Activities and Evidence Resource Guide(essentialization of alternate eligible content). PDE continues its commitment to provide LEAs with quality resources to aid in the implementation of the Career Standards Benchmark.Any questions should be addressed to Career Readiness Advisor Laura Fridirici [email protected].