Assessment
Your CCL program may already be utilizing a career assessment instrument or a career assessment within a career readiness platform. If your school/district is not currently utilizing any form of career assessment, this section is designed to assist you in considering the selection of a career assessment instrument/platform.
Many career assessment tools are integrated into comprehensive career information and readiness platforms, where assessments are just one part of a larger system designed to guide learners. These platforms often begin with interest inventories or skills assessments, providing students with a personalized starting point to identify potential career pathways. This approach empowers learners to explore and engage with careers that align with their strengths and interests, making their career planning journey more meaningful and focused.
Interest and strength assessment tools should be carefully selected and vetted through an equity lens to ensure that every learner, regardless of background, feels valued and acknowledged for their unique abilities and interests. These tools must be culturally responsive, unbiased, and designed to showcase a wide range of strengths so all learners see themselves represented and have an accessible path forward. This approach offers a fuller understanding of each learner's potential, creating an inclusive environment where students can confidently explore and envision their future careers. By centering equity in these assessments, educators can better guide learners to pursue paths that align with their strengths and interests, ultimately empowering them on their journey.
An additional benefit of using career assessment tools is that the data can be analyzed and used in future planning to identify new programs that could be integrated into a school. Student data, along with workforce data can assist in the support of new programs leading to high-skill, high-wage, and/or in-demand.