The High School Handoff

The skyrocketing expense of college, renewed interest in work and apprenticeships, and academic damage wrought by the pandemic has underscored a painful truism about high school: What happens in these years isn’t well aligned with what the United States needs from its high school graduates, nor the opportunities that will be available to them.

In this new series, Education Week takes a step back from the post “college-for-all” era to examine some of the most pressing questions facing high school secondary teachers and students: What needs to happen in these years to set students up for a fulfilling adulthood? How can educators support students who struggle in make-or-break courses? What’s the role of schools in helping students take steps towards fulfilling careers? And what role does higher education play in bolstering these efforts?

Our project aims to examine academics, work-based learning and apprenticeships, and the skill gaps employers say they want filled—all with the goal of finding new insights about how to increase opportunities for students.

Stories will be added to this page monthly. Check back frequently for new content.