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Oswego Community Unit School District 308

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QUICK LINKS
https://www.sd308.org/Departments-and-Programs/Programs/College-Career-Readiness/

College & Career Readiness
College and Career Readiness in SD 308 provides oversight to all areas of college and career, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and supports Student Services at the secondary level. The department works closely with community leaders, organizations, and businesses to establish and grow student opportunities for career-based learning experiences. College and Career Readiness efforts in SD 308 ensure students graduate ready for college, careers, and life.
 

Strategic Plan Alignment: Fostering Future Ready Students

 
Oswego Community Unit School District 308 is dedicated to fulfilling a core strategic commitment: fostering Future Ready Students.
This commitment is achieved through the continuous expansion of digital skills, enrichment of career exploration opportunities, and ensuring robust college readiness for every student.

Commitment in Action

Comprehensive initiatives are implemented to ensure students graduate prepared for college, careers, and life:
 
  • Early Career Exploration: Career exploration begins earlier to build awareness and foundational knowledge from a young age.
  • Expanded Opportunities: High school students benefit from increased opportunities to earn college credit and gain valuable real-world experience. This is accomplished through career pathways and strong industry partnerships.
  • Future-Ready Curriculum: Courses and programming are actively reviewed and updated to match the demands of future job opportunities, ensuring education remains relevant and forward-looking.
  • Innovative Learning: Innovative learning experiences are provided to students that specifically prepare them for post-secondary careers and higher education.

Illinois PaCE (Postsecondary and Career Expectations)

 
Each student should have an individualized learning plan to help make decisions about career and post-secondary (PS) education or training, to plan a course of study, and to make financial aid assessments with family members. View the 9 - 12 grade PaCE Framework Information here.
 

By the end of 9th grade

 
A student should be supported to:
  • complete a career cluster survey
  • complete a career interest survey
  • attend a PS options workshop
  • select course work for PS/career plans aligned with the ISBE College and Career Readiness Indicators
  • enroll as appropriate in early college credit courses
  • outline a plan for community service and extracurricular activities related to PS plans
  • attend a basic financial aid presentation with a trusted adult
A student should know:
  • one or two careers for further exploration
  • the relationship between HS coursework, attendance, and grades to PS plans
  • importance of community service and extracurricular activities to PS and career plans
  • general cost ranges of various PS options
 

By the end of 10th grade

 
A student should be supported to:
  • visit at least one workplace aligned with career interests
  • participate in activities related to their career cluster of interest
  • select a career area of interest: enroll in career pathway (CP) as available
  • explore opportunities along the Work Based Learning Continuum.
  • connect and build relationships with 2-3 adults to support the PS and career selection process
  • review coursework, and PS/career plans in relation to the ISBE College and Career Readiness Indicators (every year)
  • attend a basic financial aid presentation with a family member
A student should know:
  • educational requirements, cost, expected entry level, and midpoint salary for occupations in selected CP
  • skills related to career interests
  • different types of PS credentials and institutions
  • general timing of PS entrance exams and applications
  • benefit of early college credit opportunities to PS access and completion
 

By the end of 11th grade

 
A student should be supported to:
  • revisit the career interest survey
  • participate in a mock job interview
  • create a resume and personal statement
  • complete an experience within the Work Based Learning Continuum.
  • determine readiness for college-level coursework in math/ELA and enrollment in either “catch up” or “speed up” course
  • complete at least one early college credit opportunity
  • attend a college fair
  • visit at least 3 PS institutions
  • take at least one college entrance exam
  • complete a Postsecondary Plan Workshop
A student should know:
  • application deadlines, test timing, cost, and preparation for industry-based certification for CP
  • entrance requirements, including application deadlines, for expected PS programs of study
  • 3-5 match schools, one safety, one reach school for PS program of study
  • negative impact of remediation on PS goals
  • financial aid deadlines for chosen PS options
 

By the end of 12th grade

 
A student should be supported to:
  • complete at least two team based challenges.
  • obtain an internship opportunity related to the CP if applicable
  • if applicable, receive industry-based certification(s) related to the CP
  • address any remedial needs in math/ELA
  • complete a financial aid offer workshop
A student should know:
  • how CP courses and experiences articulate to degree programs at PS options
  • estimated cost of chosen PS options
  • affordability of PS options in relation to expected entry-level career salary and anticipated debt
  • terms and conditions of any scholarship or loan
By 12/31 of 12th grade a student should have:
  • completed 3 or more admissions applications to PS institutions
  • ensure all steps in the PS admissions process are completed on time
  • attended a Financial Aid Application completion workshop
  • completed a financial aid application
 

SchooLinks

 
SchooLinks is a comprehensive college and career readiness platform designed to prepare students for life after graduation. It helps students discover their interests, explore colleges and careers, and build an individualized career and academic plan that aligns with their future goals.

SchooLinks is accessible to students and parents in grades 6th-12th within SD 308.

SchooLinks for Students

 
SchooLinks offers an user-friendly experience, helping students and families navigate the path to post-secondary success.
Students can use SchooLinks for:
  • Self-Discovery: Access career interest, strength, and mindset surveys
  • College Exploration: Explore 2-year and 4-year colleges, take virtual reality campus tours, and search for scholarships
  • Career Planning: Explore a wide range of careers including emerging careers, the trades, and military career fields
  • Course Planning (anticipated fall of 2026): Create course plans based on career pathways of interest
  • Financial Aid: Learn about financial aid and search for scholarships
  • Opportunities: Find internship and volunteer opportunities
  • Professional Tools: Create digital portfolios and resumes
  • Individualized Learning Plan (anticipated January 2026): Build an individualized career and academic plan that aligns with future goals
SchooLinks College Application Manager
The SchooLinks College Application Manager allows students to:
  • Track the progress and requirements for college applications
  • Organize all the application materials for the colleges they are applying to
  • Request application materials, including transcripts,and letters of recommendation to be sent to the desired institution. 
SchooLink’s College Application Manager serves as an easy way to keep track of all the application steps and materials you need to submit to colleges, but it is not an application portal. Students will need to submit applications using the methods offered by the colleges to which you're applying, including the Common App.
 
Student Login
Students will login to SchooLinks via ClassLink
Then select the SchooLinks logo

SchooLinks for Parents/Guardians

 
As a parent/guardian, SchooLinks allows you to: 
  • View your student's career assessment results (interests, strengths, mindset) to explore potential career paths
  • See what colleges and careers your student has favorited and set as goals
  • Check your personalized dashboard for upcoming events, as well as important reminders and to-dos for your student
  • Complete your own research on colleges, careers, and more to help you have informed conversations with your student
  • Compare college costs and explore expected financial aid, scholarships, and out-of-pocket expenses
  • Review your student’s course plans once the course planner is implemented (anticipated for the 2026-2027 school year)

Parent/Guardian Login
Parent/Guardian accounts were created using email listed in PowerSchool. Parent/Guardians can access SchooLinks by following the steps below:
  • If using a Gmail account, can log in directly through Gmail as seen on right
  • If entering an email and have not previously logged in, click “Forgot password” to receive an email to set your account password
More information on how to utilize SchooLinks as a parent/guardian can be accessed in the SchooLinks Parent/Guardian Overview video.
 

Industry Partnerships

 
Building Competencies Through Partnerships
 
We recognize the power of community in preparing our students.
  • Business Partnerships: We actively partner with local businesses to provide students with authentic, relevant, and hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between classroom learning and the professional world.
  • Robust Programming: Together, we build essential student competencies through robust curricula and programming that develop the critical skills needed for college, career, and life success.
These collective efforts ensure every SD 308 student graduates with the competencies and experiences necessary to thrive in their chosen path.
 
Interested in Becoming an Industry Partner?
 
Join the SD 308 Industry Partner Network on SchooLinks to help our students prepare for their future careers. Once you are part of our industry partner network, you'll be able to:
  • Receive notifications of upcoming events and partnership opportunities in our district, like hosting industry tours, offering internships, or participate in career fairs.
  • Post opportunities and source candidates.
  • Record short mentor videos to raise visibility of your organization among students.
CCR Events & Celebrations

CCR Events & Celebrations
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