Labor Market Information
This September 2026 publication from the Christensen Institute examines how states can better align K–12 education, higher education, and workforce development to create stronger pathways from education to employment. It explores policy barriers that can prevent institutions and employers from coordinating career-connected learning, including work-based learning opportunities, graduation and college credit requirements, funding structures, and licensure rules.
Drawing on case studies, the publication outlines five priorities for state leaders: establishing a shared vision and data across systems, recognizing learning across different settings, aligning funding with career-connected outcomes, building statewide infrastructure to support local programs, and strengthening demand for career-connected pathways. It offers recommendations to help policymakers, education leaders, and workforce partners build more coordinated systems that respond to students’ needs and regional workforce priorities.
Drawing on case studies, the publication outlines five priorities for state leaders: establishing a shared vision and data across systems, recognizing learning across different settings, aligning funding with career-connected outcomes, building statewide infrastructure to support local programs, and strengthening demand for career-connected pathways. It offers recommendations to help policymakers, education leaders, and workforce partners build more coordinated systems that respond to students’ needs and regional workforce priorities.
Conducted by Dr. Jay Plasman of The Ohio State University and published by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, this study examines the postsecondary and workforce outcomes of Ohio high school students who earn industry-recognized credentials. Using longitudinal education and labor market data, the report analyzes how credential attainment and CTE concentration relate to graduation, college enrollment, employment, and earnings over time.
Findings show that students who earn credentials often experience early workforce earnings gains and higher graduation rates, though they are less likely to pursue four-year degrees. The study also explores differences across credential types, career clusters, and high-demand workforce pathways, offering insights for policymakers seeking to strengthen alignment between education and labor market needs.
Findings show that students who earn credentials often experience early workforce earnings gains and higher graduation rates, though they are less likely to pursue four-year degrees. The study also explores differences across credential types, career clusters, and high-demand workforce pathways, offering insights for policymakers seeking to strengthen alignment between education and labor market needs.
This Pathway2Careers report examines how career-connected math instruction impacts student engagement, achievement, and relevance in the classroom. Drawing on educator feedback and implementation data, it highlights how integrating real-world career contexts into math lessons helps students better understand the purpose of what they are learning.
The report outlines key use cases for P2C Math, including increasing student motivation, supporting differentiated instruction, and strengthening alignment between academic content and future career pathways. Findings suggest that when math is connected to real-world applications, students show greater interest, improved performance, and stronger connections between school and future goals.
The report outlines key use cases for P2C Math, including increasing student motivation, supporting differentiated instruction, and strengthening alignment between academic content and future career pathways. Findings suggest that when math is connected to real-world applications, students show greater interest, improved performance, and stronger connections between school and future goals.
This U.S. Department of Education report presents a strategy to “reimagine” the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to better serve educators, policymakers, and researchers. Drawing on stakeholder input and a review of current practices, the report identifies challenges including fragmented research efforts, slow data delivery, and limited classroom relevance. It proposes a series of major shifts, such as prioritizing high-impact education challenges, streamlining and modernizing federal data systems, and increasing collaboration with states and districts.
The recommendations aim to ensure that education research is more timely, actionable, and aligned with real-world needs to improve student outcomes.Examines post-pandemic academic recovery across schools, showing uneven gains in math and reading and varied paths back to pre-COVID achievement
The recommendations aim to ensure that education research is more timely, actionable, and aligned with real-world needs to improve student outcomes.Examines post-pandemic academic recovery across schools, showing uneven gains in math and reading and varied paths back to pre-COVID achievement
Reviews evidence that middle school career exploration improves student awareness of interests, aligns aspirations with education, and supports early career planning
Reviews middle school career interventions, finding structured programs improve career awareness, decision-making, and self-efficacy, with school counselors playing a key role
Finds that Early College High Schools in New Mexico yield a net present value of $27,219 per student, with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 4.6
Finds that Early College High Schools in North Carolina provide $10,000 in cost savings per student and higher postsecondary attainment, with greater benefits for underrepresented groups
Highlights how certificate and associate programs in fields like engineering and health offer fast, affordable paths to economic opportunity
From Georgetown’s Center on Education and the Workforce: lifetime earnings vary by degree level, field of study, and demographics.