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

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
  • Nearly three out of every four students said the reflection tool helped clarify their college values.
  • Two out of every three students updated their likelihood of applying to colleges based on visit reflections.
     

Lincoln College Preparatory Academy, Kansas City’s top public high school, developed this model to support first-generation college students in the application process. The program integrates Decision Education into college exploration, guiding students through pre- and post-visit reflections to help them evaluate and clarify their college preferences.

School Type: Public Magnet High School | IB School | Title 1

  • Black/African American – 40.9%
  • Hispanic – 27.5%
  • White – 23.3%
  • Asian – 5%
  • Two or more races – 1.4%
  • “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

Model 2: Enhancing College Counseling with Decision Education

Location: Exton, PA

Student Reach: 50+ 11th and 12th Grade Students

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

Church Farm School designed this model to empower students with self-awareness and direction in their college search. Students build portfolios, conduct research on academic majors and career pathways, and visit colleges—especially historically black universities. The program also engages families in shaping college and career choices.

School Type: Independent Boarding and Day School for Boys

  • Black/African American – 61%
  • Hispanic – 17%
  • White – 4%
  • Asian – 12 %
  • Two or more races – 6%
  • ~90% Receiving Financial Aid
  • “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

Model 3: Enhancing High School Advisory with Decision Education

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Student Reach: 270+ 9th and 10th Grade Students

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.

Cristo Rey Philadelphia redesigned its advisory curriculum to integrate Decision Education, helping students explore college and career pathways and understand how their high school choices impact their future. The curriculum covers decision-making processes, habit formation, and strategic course selection.

School Type: Catholic College Preparatory High School

  • Black/ African American – 62.1%
  • Hispanic – 29.2%
  • Two or more races – 3%
  • Asian – 2.2%
  • ~90% Receiving Financial Aid
  • “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

Model 4: Developing a Decision Education Course

Location: Concord, NC

Student Reach: 170+ 9th and 10th Grade Students

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.

Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School introduced Decision Education by developing a new course offering. This course helps students make informed decisions about college, career, and life by engaging in structured activities, experiential learning, and portfolio assessments.

A similar Incubator was conducted at Livonia High School in Rochester, NY. Read more about it here.

School Type: Rural Public High School

  • White – 45.6%
  • Black – 27.6%
  • Hispanic – 16.7%
  • Asian – 6.7%
  • Two or More Races – 2.9%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native – 0.4%
  • “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

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