Middle School PaCE Framework
Postsecondary and Career Expectations
At the middle school and early high school level, the Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Framework is designed to provide students with the guided exploration of postsecondary planning and options in a manner that is consistent with adolescent development
Printable Version
By the end of 6th
A student should be supported to:
- Gather information about the basics of college
- Reflect on interests, favorite subjects, and future choices
- Explore individual strengths, skills, and assets
- Understand the concept of growth mindset
- Recognize people who can be their support system
By the end of 7th
A student should be supported to:
- Understand a brief overview of career clusters
- participate in college and career activities that increase their knowledge
- Discover how careers are connected to their interests
- Complete a career interest survey in Schoolinks
- Determine fees related to college
By the end of 8th
A student should be supported to:
- Explore career interests in Schoolinks
- Explore colleges in Schoolinks
- Understand the connection between interest, career, and job satisfaction
- Demonstrate a growth mindset
- Select coursework for postsecondary and career plans
- Articulate traits that make them unique
- Attend high school orientation
A student should be exposed to:
- Financial literacy and understand the basics of budgeting (Game of Life in Schoolinks)
- Postsecondary options(college, military, trades, workforce)
- KEC Career Fair