NATIONAL PATHWAY DAY
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NATIONAL PATHWAY DAY
April 16 is National Pathway Day on the National Day Calendar in celebration of Pathways, also known as Academies. Today we are celebrating the industry-themed Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses for high school and Community College students that use the industry to prepare them for both their career and college.
#NationalPathwayDay
Career and education pathways are courses taken by students to prepare them for their career. Pathways give students the opportunity to learn industry standards from qualified CTE teachers and business partners through real-world learning projects and internships. Whether the occupation or field of study is business, healthcare, or natural resources, pathways are designed to meet the needs of the student as they prepare to prepare for their future.
Pathways are a major educational trend across the country and are supported by the U.S. Department of Education as a way to prepare students for college and ensure students have equitable access to high paying jobs in their future careers. According to NAF, a national education nonprofit, 89% of high school students who graduate from a Pathway program are college-bound, compared to the national average of 70%. In addition, 57% of Pathway seniors report they feel fully prepared to enter the workforce. Unsurprisingly, 64% of graduating Pathway students join the workforce.
"Since 1980, over half a million students have benefited from the NAF Approach. Today, we support 113,000 students in 619 academies across 34 states and territories." NAF
Benefits of Pathway Programs
Students learn study skills, including research methods, effective writing, and time management.
Students learn to adapt to the education system as they transition into higher education, especially if they need to fill gaps between previous schools.
Students gain increased confidence in their abilities by gradually exposing them to higher education coursework.
Students are able to explore career paths and gain the necessary skills through career counseling and work-based learning experiences.
Students learn to adapt to campus life beyond high school by allowing them to experience college culture.
Students have the opportunity to explore subjects based on their interests before committing to a full degree of study.
Pathway programs set the foundation for students to identify their career goals by allowing them to participate in activities that can help determine their career path. Besides participation, a Pathway program also increases social skills to help students develop personal and work relationships.
HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PATHWAY DAY
Students are better equipped to enter the workforce if they have relevant education and real workplace experience. Here are a few ways you can help students gain a clear path to their success:
Encourage students to explore a Pathway program by offering career counseling and advice. This will help students explore their career options and develop a plan for their career.
Schools and higher education institutions can offer curriculum changes and career-focused programs to help students develop a plan to succeed.
Collaborate with local businesses and organizations to secure an internship, mentorship or job shadowing experience so students can learn hands-on skills that will help them in their career path.
Host a career event and invite speakers and guests to discuss career options. Have Pathway representatives available to begin the process of preparing students for their personalized Pathway program.
Share your experiences and support for Pathway programs on social media using the hashtag #NationalPathwayDay. Don't forget to share your appreciation for the Pathway program that helped you along your career preparation journey!
HISTORY BEHIND NATIONAL PATHWAY DAY
National Pathway Day was founded by Porterville Unified School District Pathways Department in 2025. The National Day Calendar Registrar approved the day to be celebrated on April 16. Join us as we celebrate industry-themed Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses for high school and Community College students that use the industry to prepare them for both their career and college.
About the Founder
The Porterville Unified School District (PUSD) Pathways Department creates opportunities and changes lives of students through compassion, competence, confidence, and collaboration. Through family and community engagement, PUSD strives to ensure each student has meaningful experiences and grow and develop as individuals.
The PUSD Pathways Department Director Cynthia "Cindy" Garcia Brown has been a leading figure in Pathway programs in California since 2008. In 2022, Cindy was awarded the NAF Janet Linton Leadership Award for her determination to better serve the low socio-economic, rural, migrant farming community in the San Joaquin Central Valley in California. During her tenure, while teaming up with a tremendous network of local, state, and national partners across industry and postsecondary institutions, Cindy has improved the lives of nearly 4,000 students each year, with a 99% graduation rate and 93% of those graduates furthering their education.
Other organizations that support Pathway/Academy work throughout the nation are Connect Ed: The National Center for College and Career and the Linked Learning Alliance, amongst others.