Student Engagement
This July 2026 evidence brief from Project Evident synthesizes research across career development, youth development, education, and workforce development to examine what is known about effective career exploration for middle and high school students. It considers the outcomes young people should gain from career exploration and evaluates what existing studies reveal about different practices and program models.
The brief identifies areas where evidence is strongest, highlights gaps in understanding which approaches work best for different students and under what conditions, and outlines priorities for strengthening research, measurement, and continuous improvement. It provides an evidence-focused resource for education leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and funders working to improve career exploration opportunities for young people.
The brief identifies areas where evidence is strongest, highlights gaps in understanding which approaches work best for different students and under what conditions, and outlines priorities for strengthening research, measurement, and continuous improvement. It provides an evidence-focused resource for education leaders, practitioners, policymakers, and funders working to improve career exploration opportunities for young people.
This July 2026 white paper from Project Evident presents findings from an assessment of career exploration in middle and high schools. Drawing on research across youth development, career development, education, and workforce development, along with input from practitioners, researchers, and education leaders, it examines what is known about career exploration and where evidence gaps remain.
The paper identifies key components of high-quality career exploration, including hands-on experiences, relationships with employers and trusted adults, integration with academic learning, and opportunities that build over time. It also outlines priorities for educators, policymakers, employers, and funders to improve the quality, accessibility, and impact of career exploration for young people.
The paper identifies key components of high-quality career exploration, including hands-on experiences, relationships with employers and trusted adults, integration with academic learning, and opportunities that build over time. It also outlines priorities for educators, policymakers, employers, and funders to improve the quality, accessibility, and impact of career exploration for young people.
This report from the National Cross-Partisan Education Policy Network’s Career-Connected Learning Working Group examines how career-connected learning can help address declining academic achievement, student disengagement, and uncertainty about the purpose of education. It challenges the perceived trade-off between academic rigor and career preparation, arguing that students benefit from mastering core academic skills alongside the skills needed for modern work.
The report calls on education leaders, employers, policymakers, and communities to expand access to high-quality career-connected learning and build stronger connections among classroom learning, career opportunities, and economic development.
The report calls on education leaders, employers, policymakers, and communities to expand access to high-quality career-connected learning and build stronger connections among classroom learning, career opportunities, and economic development.
This Pathway2Careers report explores the importance of structured career exploration beginning in middle school. Drawing on national research and practical implementation examples, it outlines how early exposure to careers helps students develop self-awareness, connect academic learning to future pathways, and build essential planning skills.
The report offers evidence-informed strategies for embedding career exploration into middle school curricula, school counseling, and advisement systems to support equitable access to postsecondary and workforce opportunities.
The report offers evidence-informed strategies for embedding career exploration into middle school curricula, school counseling, and advisement systems to support equitable access to postsecondary and workforce opportunities.
This article breaks down what separates high-dosage tutoring from traditional tutoring and why it consistently produces stronger learning gains. Drawing on research from organizations including UVA, Brown’s Annenberg Institute, and Stanford’s National Student Support Accelerator, it identifies the core elements of effective tutoring: frequent sessions, small-group or one-to-one instruction, alignment with classroom content, and consistent use of trained tutors.
The article also highlights practical lessons for implementation, noting that high-dosage tutoring is most effective when embedded into the school day and treated as a core instructional strategy rather than an optional add-on. For districts seeking scalable, evidence-based interventions, it offers a clear framework for designing tutoring programs that deliver measurable impact.
The article also highlights practical lessons for implementation, noting that high-dosage tutoring is most effective when embedded into the school day and treated as a core instructional strategy rather than an optional add-on. For districts seeking scalable, evidence-based interventions, it offers a clear framework for designing tutoring programs that deliver measurable impact.
11 Creative Ways to Make Math Engaging for K–12 Students
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Shows that perceived high-quality tech integration predicts better behavioral engagement and stronger digital competencies among upper-secondary students
The $90 Trillion Wake-Up Call for Schools — and What Educators Can Do About ItÂ
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Examines research on P2C’s career-connected math and career exploration initiatives, revealing program impact on student outcomes
Analyzes student survey data showing declining math interest and motivation, with insights to help schools reengage learners post-pandemic