2025 ISBE Career Connections Conference

Integrating Career and Technical Education Pathways and Instructional Leadership Team: A Case Study at Curie High School

Examine Illinois state and US Department of Labor employment law concerning 16 and 17 year-olds. Learn what the law allows 16 and 17 year-olds to do in employment and internships in a variety of industries. Leave with written guidance from Illinois and the US DOL to support your requests with employer partners to host interns and employ 16 and 17 year-olds.

This session is designed to guide participants through the process of applying for and implementing College and Career Pathway Endorsements. Participants will gain an understanding of the essential guidelines and theoretical foundations behind these endorsements.
In addition, the steps in the application process will be broken down and application experiences and tips will be shared. The session will also address common challenges faced by schools in obtaining and implementing endorsements.
By the end of the session, attendees will be better equipped to support the development of college and career pathways in their districts. Attendees will also be provided with resources and templates to assist in the process.

The demand for work-based learning (WBL) opportunities for students is growing rapidly. With ADVANCE CTE new National Career Cluster Framework, schools and businesses recognize the need and value of expanding the hands-on, real-world experience in preparing students for the workforce. Establishing a high-quality WBL program has become a priority. However, creating these programs can seem overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be daunting—what’s needed is a strong community plan.