Some existing career and technical education (CTE) models treat academic instruction and career preparation as separate tracks, forcing a false choice between being college ready or career ready. When the two are separated, students get less support planning their futures, school feels less relevant, and schools miss the chance to build the talent pipeline employers need.

This brief from WestEd and the Career Academy Network of Public Schools (CANOPS) describes how a K–12 readiness system supports students in exploring careers, reflecting on their interests and strengths, receiving guidance, and making informed pathway decisions over time. Education leaders, program designers, and practitioners will find practical guidance, implementation examples, discussions of potential risks, and indicators of program effectiveness for building or strengthening career-connected learning initiatives.