Aware, Eligible and Prepared
Graduation may seem far away, but it is never too early to get on the right track. Through the Career and College Pathways (CCP) program, Hillsboro School District is committed to ensuring all students are aware of their career and college options, eligible for those options, and prepared for success in their post-secondary choices.
Becoming aware involves early exposure to careers and colleges, interest mapping, guidance lessons, and the completion of national standardized tests. In addition, students need to understand high school graduation requirements and the requirements for entering certain vocations, two-year community colleges, four-year public and private colleges, and even the military.
Becoming eligible involves students completing the necessary steps to engage in the post-secondary option of their choosing. This includes meeting the requirements of college entrance, developing a plan that details the steps needed to reach their future goal, planning for how to pay college tuition or support themselves with gainful employment, and applying to at least one post-secondary institution or job consistent with application requirements and deadlines.
Becoming prepared involves not only learning academic subjects, but also the development of “habits of mind” that lead to success in post-secondary learning or employment. Students will need to have foundational understanding in a wide array of disciplines, study and work habits necessary for school and workplace performance, and a pattern of life skills that will ensure readiness for independent living.
Career Development Credit
The School-to-Career Specialist grants the 0.5 credit in career development required for graduation. CThis is not a course students take, but rather a list of activities students complete through Xello, career-related learning experi - ences, and counselor guidance. Xello is a web-based resource that encourages and supports post-high school career and college planning. The annual Xello and counselor guidance activities include:
- 9th Grade Year: Career and College Xello Lesson
- 10th Grade Year: Career and College Xello Lesson
- 11th Grade Year: Career-Related Learning Experience Resume
- 12th Grade Year: Senior Exit Survey
All HSD high schools are membersA of the Western Washington County School-to-Career Consortium, which is operated through the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce. Students have access to career-related learning experiences (CRLE) with businesses in the Atri-county area. Career-related learning experiences provide opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with life experiences in the community, workplace, or school. School-to-career opportunities are coordinated through the career and college centers at each of the high schools.
5 Key Indicators for career and college readiness
- ACT and SAT testing taken by beginning of 12th grade
- Completion of 3+ College Level Opportunity courses by graduation (AP, IB, dual credit)
- Completion of a Career and College Pathway course sequence by graduation
- Participation in one or more work-based learning opportunities by graduation
- Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or the Oregon Student Aid Application for college
in 12th grade
CPP Coursework
What is a Career and College Pathway?
High school is an important part of a student’s preparation for life, a time of transitions to post-secondary education, careers and adult responsibilities. Career and College Pathways can help students to clarify their career and college goals and to select courses that match their goals.
Related level courses are suggested additional courses within the same CCP or a related CCP. Students interested in exploring beyond the required courses are encouraged to consider courses in the related column. Required classes provide a fundamental understanding of each area of study. Capstone courses provide an opportunity for students to extend their knowledge and pursue their individual interests. Students will complete a senior project in a capstone course.
CCP career learning areas available are:
- Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Systems
- Arts, Information and Communication
- Business and Management
- Health Sciences
- Human Resources
- Industrial and Engineering Systems
Why enroll in a CCP?
Each student will be able to:
- Pursue personal, academic and career interests
- Establish post-high school goals
- Actively engage in educational planning and take responsibility for learning
- Apply high-level academic and career-related knowledge and skills in relevant and meaningful learning experiences
- Receive support from school, parents and the community.
How will I earn a CCP Cord at graduation?
To earn a CCP graduation cord, students will need to:
- Pass required foundation and advanced application courses with a B or better
- Complete program-specific requirements which may include service learning and/or an internship
- Complete a senior project/portfolio as required in the CCP, through the capstone course.
Additional Information About CCP
Information about Career and College Pathways, including information about CCP shuttle accessible pathways, work-based learning opportunities, course selection resources, and more is available on the District website: www.hsd.k12.or.us/ccp.