• Increase the number of school counselors, psychologists, transition specialists, and social workers.
  • Create a formal pipeline of individuals to be prepared for these roles and offer scholarships or student loan repayment, similar to the Arizona Teachers Academy.
  • Ensure their roles are manageable; consider splitting functions among multiple counselors for college planning, academic advisement, and mental health support functions.
• Increase resources for counselors, teachers (including special education teachers), and school staff to be able to identify student barriers and provide resources to meet student needs to help them graduate. Support school staff in connecting students to programs that provide additional support to students as they navigate completing high school and preparing for their postsecondary education.
• Support strategies to increase student access to quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs as a proven means of increasing student high school graduation rates for these students.
• Begin career exploration early and ensure all students receive a quality career guidance experience that begins in middle school and offers flexibility for students. Expand equitable access at scale to a development tool for students across the state. Move Education Career Action Plan (ECAP) implementation to the 8th grade. Support educators and counselors with ECAP implementation strategies and training.
• Examine high schools with high graduation rates to summarize their successes and try to replicate their strategies statewide.