Ohio’s efforts to provide every student with high-quality work-based learning experiences and advanced coursework opportunities are a strong starting point for broader high school transformation efforts across the state. In Fall 20203, Ohio passed legislation to create the nation’s first Department of Education and Workforce to reflect an aligned system under one agency, elevating the important role of career-connected learning and workforce preparedness in education. The move reflects a fundamental shift: high school is no longer seen as the end of a pipeline, but the beginning of a flexible, skills-based journey.
State leaders have prioritized work-based learning as a critical educational and economic experience for students. Accordingly, the state provides guidance to districts about how to embed quality work-based learning opportunities into career and technical education programs, as well as into traditional high school graduation pathways. The state’s ApprenticeOhio program connects Ohioans to paid, industry-backed apprenticeships across the state, offering more than 100 pre-apprenticeship programs for high school students, who gain real-world experience while fulfilling their graduation requirements.
The state, through its College Credit Plus program, also provides every student with the opportunity to take a college course at no cost to the student. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities for rigorous academic coursework that prepares students for higher education, while enabling them to earn both high school and college credit.
To build on these efforts, state leaders in Ohio could establish greater flexibility from seat time requirements and create a state Portrait of a Graduate that reflects the durable skills and competencies every Ohio graduate should have by the end of high school. State leaders could also launch a statewide initiative with dedicated resources to incentivize community-based high school redesign.
