Developing POS via a Statewide Career-Focused Reform Policy

Career-focused education offered through programs of study (POS), career pathways, and career and technical education (CTE) can provide students with opportunities to engage in career exploration and development, to establish career goals, to increase academic knowledge and skills, to test career preferences in applied settings, and to make links between coursework and postsecondary careers and education. Given the potential of these types of education reforms, federal and state legislation has been enacted to foster their development. In South Carolina, the state's Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA) has been integral in the implementation of POS and other career pathways. EEDA is one of the most comprehensive career-focused school-reform mandates in the country. Researchers are investigating how components of EEDA are helping to build the foundation and framework for successful POS implementation. In this article, the authors provide insights into how several key elements of the South Carolina policy are helping sample schools lay a foundation for POS and POS-like educational components for all students.