Exploring College and Career Decision-making
Instructional models that impact the way students make decisions about life after graduation.
About the Incubator
The decisions high school students make about their post-graduation plans significantly influence their futures. Students need to consider potential career paths, vocational programs, college options, such as pursuing two and four year degrees, and other opportunities.
Learn how schools implemented Decision Education to help their students navigate these big choices.
Model 1: Enhancing College Visits with Decision Education
Location: Kansas City, MO
Student Reach: 170+ 11th and 12th Grade Students
Student Feedback:
- “The reflection tool allowed me to better understand my goals in life, and what I want in the future.” – 11th grade, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy
- “I’m more open-minded when it comes to making critical decisions about my future.” – 11th grade, Lincoln College Preparatory Academy
Key Stats:
- After participating in this model:
- 100% of students agreed their current efforts can impact their future positively
- 88% of students agreed they are aware of their thinking processes when making a decision
- 88% of students agreed they are optimistic about their future
- 72% of participating students agreed that the reflection tool helped them to clarify what they value in a college education
- 72% of participating students would recommend the tool to a family member or friend going on a college visit
- Two out of every three students updated their likelihood of applying to colleges based on visit reflections.
Model 2: Enhancing College Counseling with Decision Education
Location: Exton, PA
Student Reach: 50+ 11th and 12th Grade Students
Student Feedback:
- “I believe that taking time to reflect on the decisions you make and how they will impact you would play a major role in how you plan for the future/make decisions in the future” – Grade 11 Student
- “I learned to consider all the options and ways that decisions could affect me or my future.” – Grade 11 Student
Key Stats:
After participating in this model, 100% of students agreed with the following statements:
- I am prepared to make decisions for my future
- I have a clear vision for my future
- I am optimistic about my future
- My current efforts can impact my future positively
Model 3: Enhancing High School Advisory with Decision Education
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Student Reach: 270+ 9th and 10th Grade Students
Student Feedback:
- “The seminar helped me understand what I want to do in the future.” – Grade 9 Student
- “Learning about decision-making … has increased my open-mindedness and helped me plan for my future.” – Grade 10 Student
Key Stats:
- After participating in this model, students’ decision-making practices and processes improved, as measured by the Brief Life Skills (EHV-A), with items such as I think about the possible consequences before making a decision and I look for as much information as possible to make a decision.
- After participating in this model:
- 92% of students agreed they are aware of their thinking process when making a decision.
- 91% of students agreed they know how to achieve their goals for the future.
- 92% of students agreed their current efforts can impact their future positively.
Model 4: Developing a Decision Education Course
Location: Concord, NC
Student Reach: 170+ 9th and 10th Grade Students
Student Feedback:
- “Learning about the different types of cognitive biases has helped me to try to avoid these in the future.” – Grade 9 Student
- “I have been able to better plan my choices and can now better see the outcomes and future consequences. I’ve liked the skits we do in class as well as learning about strategies to use.” – Grade 9 Student
Key Stats:
- After participating in this model, students’ decision-making practices and processes improved, as measured by the Brief Life Skills (EHV-A), with items such as I think about the possible consequences before making a decision and I look for as much information as possible to make a decision.
- After participating in this model:
- 92% of CKECHS students agreed their current efforts can impact their future positively.
- 92% of CKECHS students agreed they can make complex decisions about their future.
