Launching careers isn’t just a future‑focused task; it’s a present imperative. At American Student Assistance® (ASA), our work is rooted in this belief, and we’re thrilled to share an exciting new step forward.
Together with Education Strategy Group (ESG), ASA is proud to introduce the Middle School Career Exploration Impact & Learning Network: a bold initiative that brings clarity, coherence, and momentum to career readiness in the middle grades.
Why Middle School?
Middle school is such a formative time. Students are beginning to explore possibilities, not yet burdened by the looming deadlines of high school. Our goal is to ensure they’re guided thoughtfully through that exploration, with policies and supports that make a difference.
ASA’s research with ESG shows that while 73% of states acknowledge career exploration as vital, only a fraction (20%) actually collect data on it, and fewer still embed it in accountability plans (16%) or build robust stakeholder ecosystems (8%). That’s exactly why launching this Network is so important.
What the Network Will Do
The Network brings together policymakers, educators, researchers, and community partners to:
- Craft model policy frameworks for state and district leaders.
- Align around a consistent vision of what all middle schoolers deserve.
- Incorporate student voice into the design of high-quality middle school career exploration experiences.
- Amplify impact through shared learning, evaluation tools, and data-driven insights.
By weaving these elements together, we’re building systems that truly deliver on career readiness resources for all middle school learners.
Our Advocacy Roadmap
We’re particularly energized by the focus on policy influence embedded in this work. Here’s a look at what we aim to accomplish:
- Illuminate what works: supported by rigorous state-by-state analysis.
- Equip decision-makers: offering concrete drafts and toolkits to enact model policies.
- Build accountability ecosystems: ensuring data on implementation and impact is captured and acted on.
- Showcase success stories: building momentum through real-world examples and peer networks.
This is the kind of systemic change that transforms aspirations into outcomes for middle-grade learners.
Why It Matters Now
The U.S. labor market is evolving rapidly. New occupations—many tied to STEM, green industries, and digital skills—are emerging. If we’re doing our job right, every middle school student should feel empowered to engage with these opportunities. Yet without strong policy foundations and intentional systems, this potential remains unrealized.
A Call to Action
We’re proud of what we’ve launched, but our work is far from over. As we begin with these initial five states, we invite state leaders, district administrators, foundation partners, and career‑focused organizations to keep a close eye on this critical work. We’ll work continuously to refine these models, add more state voices, and bring us closer to a unified vision for career exploration that truly reaches every child.
When middle schoolers are informed, equipped, and inspired, they don’t just choose a path; they redefine their possibilities.
Together, let’s set all middle schoolers on course—today and for tomorrow’s workplace!
Check out our full press release for more details, and stay tuned for more resources in the coming weeks and months!
