High School Transition

In order to prepare 8th graders as they transition to high school, 8th grade students will complete a career cluster survey and develop a high school transition plan to include:

• Complete a unit on educational planning in order to make informed educational choices including college and career readiness
• Access resources to explore a variety of career options
• Develop a high school transition plan

With support from a number of business and industry partners, our 8th graders engage in activities to help them learn more about themselves and prepare to become high school freshmen. Each middle school has implemented career exploration opportunities for students ranging from virtual job shadowing for 8th graders set up by the Pima County School Superintendent's Office to the implementation of specific career exploration electives at each middle school. In addition, all 8th graders were engaged in classroom lessons that included a career interest inventory and an overview of opportunities and requirements as a high school student in SUSD. By the end of 8th grade, students should:

• Increase self-awareness and begin to incorporate occupational interests into self-identity
• Gain exposure to and awareness of local, regional, and national career opportunities and career clusters
• Develop an “8th-grade ECAP” that includes completing a career assessment in order to make more informed educational choices
• Transition to high school with an actionable plan for next steps

Our belief is that when students are better prepared to make decisions in high school and more cognizant of the path to their post secondary goal, they will be more successful in all aspects of high school.

Arizona is a member of the National Pathways to Prosperity Network, led by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Jobs for the Future.

Systems of career pathways that span grades 6-14+, enabling students to transition smoothly through high school, into higher education, and onto family-supporting careers—particularly in high-demand sectors like information technology, energy, health care, and advanced manufacturing.

Thank you to our partners for making this work possible!

Sunnyside Foundation • Tucson Metro Chamber • Arizona Business & Education Coalition (ABEC) • Center for the Future of Arizona • Community Share • Pima County School Superintendent • Pima Community College