Resource Support

What is a Pathway Endorsement?

By offering you the chance to earn a pathway endorsement, the state of Illinois is recognizing that you have the training and real-world learning experiences necessary to attend college for additional training OR to begin an entry-level job in your field. Below are the prerequisites needed to fulfill the pathway endorsement requirements.

INDIVIDUAL PLAN

Each student completing an endorsement must have an individualized plan, which includes college planning linked to an early understanding of career goals, financial aid, resume, and personal statement. The summation of this plan is indicated in the chosen program guide with student experiences expressed through their Passion Portfolio.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

This includes awareness, exploration, and preparation activities that provide opportunities for students to interact with adults in their workplace. To achieve endorsement, students must complete 60 hours on-site in the context of an internship or work-based experience. Our district provides flexible scheduling during the day for students who wish to achieve this endorsement.

CAREER-FOCUSED INSTRUCTIONAL SEQUENCE

Students must complete two years of secondary coursework, or equivalent competencies, that articulate to a postsecondary credential with labor market value. This must include at least 6 hours of early college credit.

ACADEMIC READINESS

Students must demonstrate readiness for non-remedial coursework in reading and math by high school graduation through criteria defined by our district and Carl Sandburg College.

What is Real World Learning?

Career Exploration Activity

An activity such as a job shadow, attendance at a career exposition, or employer site visit provides an individual with the ability to engage directly with employers for the purpose of gaining knowledge of one or more industry sectors or occupations.

Team-based Challenges

A group problem-based learning project relating to an individual’s career area of interest that involves a problem relating to employers within that area, including mentoring from adults with expertise in that area, and requires the individual to present the outcomes of the project.

Work-Based Learning

Work-based learning provides participants with work-based opportunities to practice and enhance the skills and knowledge gained in their program of study or industry training program, as well as to develop employability, and includes an assessment and recognition of acquired knowledge and skills. Examples include: internships, service learning, paid work experience, on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, transitional jobs, and apprenticeships.

Internship Credit -OR- Work-Based Learning Credit

3-5 or more days per week, 4 or more hours per day. Must be for a full year; half credit awarded for semester.
3 HS Credits

Micro-Internship Credit

1-2 or less days per week, 4 or less hours per day. Must be for a full year; half credit awarded for semester.

2 HS Credits

Pre-Apprenticeship

1 day per week, 1 or more hours per day. Must be for a full year; half credit awarded for semester.

1 HS Credit

Your chance for learning outside the classroom.

Williamsfield students Nolan Bronaugh, Kat Hunt, and Chloee Secrist participate in real-world learning opportunities through the Galesburg Area Vocational Center (GAVC).

PROGRAM GUIDES

Our Program of Study Guides provide more precise guidance on career pathways within programs so multiple stakeholders, including learners, parents & caretakers, advisors, and industry partners can work together to understand beneficial learning opportunities and experiences for students interested in pursuing a career in a certain field. However, these guides are flexible and can be personalized to meet the needs of each student. The following outlines 3 key components of our personalized curricular approach:

Career-focused coursework, including postsecondary coursework that is available for students in high school, depending on their personal learning goals.
Core Skill growth opportunities.
Real-world, work-based learning opportunities and suggestions.

According to EdSystems (2021) and the Illinois Community College Board, the primary purpose of developing programs of study at the secondary level are:

Provide guidance and exemplars for local programs to adopt or customize as they develop programs of study for approval as part of the Perkins V Plan.
Establish a framework for State agencies to develop and implement program supports.
Identify priority dual credit courses that are foundational to the industry area and well-situated for statewide scaling and articulation.
Define the competencies that should be sequenced across a program of study course sequence to prepare students for the future of work in that industry area.
Identify entry points for employers to support coursework and related experiences. (EdSystems, 2021)

Pathways vs. Cohorts

The difference between our “pathways” and “graduation cohorts” is all about pace. Cohorts provide a sense of community for students who have similar goals; sometimes, students' grade level does not reflect their experience, as everyone has different goals and skills at any certain point. The cohort model provides a sense of community even when students are taking courses online or are off-campus for any reason. The pathway approach allows students to explore their various interests and get a clear picture of the steps one needs to take in order to participate in any given career in the future. Additionally, we strive to provide students with postsecondary opportunities earlier so that they don’t waste time and money down the road in a learning environment that is not well suited to their passion or interests.

Need more Info?

Please visit our main website to discover more about our pathway approach and to review the multiple programs of study that are available to help guide your coursework decisions. The information in the following section outlines the postsecondary and certification cohort options currently available for all students, as the Pathway Endorsement is just one of many ways that students can increase the value of their high school diploma.

The pathways are listed below. Click on the pathway to find its program of study.

Graduation Cohort Information

Carl Sandburg College and Williamsfield Schools collaborate by providing students the opportunity to complete college courses that connect with career paths. Whether the student is interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree or certificates in career or technical areas, there is a pathway for everyone.

Associate in Arts Cohort

1+1 Cohort

Career & Technical Cohorts

The embedded degree allows WHS students to complete an Associate in Arts degree while in high school. This degree requires the completion of 61 credit hours and focuses on completing general education courses that are necessary for bachelor's degrees.

The Associate in Arts degree includes:

English 101 and 102 (6 credit hours)
Introduction to Public Speaking (3 credit hours)
Fine Arts/Humanities (9 credit hours)
Social Sciences (9 credit hours)
Sciences (7 credit hours)
Math (3 credit hours)
Human Relations (3 credit hours)
Electives (21 credit hours)

To complete an AA degree, students must successfully complete the required 61 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

PATH TO AN AA DEGREE

This is a tentative plan for WHS students to complete an Associate of Arts degree in high school. Courses may be switched out based on the availability of instructors. This plan will be adjusted for students beginning dual credit courses during their sophomore or junior years.

WHS students will take these courses online, at Sandburg's campus, or at WHS depending on instructor availability.

Students taking dual credit courses must meet Sandburg admissions standards and complete the steps to enroll. Please refer to the WHS plan to complete an AA degree.

Course credit hours are designated in the parentheses.

FALL - FRESHMAN YEAR

HIS.105 - American History to 1877 (3)
ART.111 - Art Appreciation (3)

SPRING - FRESHMAN YEAR

HIS.106 - American History from 1877 (3)
SOC.101 - Introduction to Sociology (3)

FALL - SOPHOMORE YEAR

ENG.102 - Freshman Composition 1 (3)
PSY.101 - Introduction to Psychology

SPRING - SOPHOMORE YEAR

ENG.102 - Freshman Composition 2 (3)
MUS.100 - Music in the Western World (3)

FALL - JUNIOR YEAR

PHY.130 - Physical Universe (3)
PHL.102 - Ethics (3)
POS.122 - American Government and Politics (3)

SPRING - JUNIOR YEAR

BIO.101 - General Biology (4)
SOC.203 - Introduction to Diversity (3)
ECO.101 - Introduction to Economics

FALL - SENIOR YEAR

CRM.101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
BUS.100 - Introduction to Business (3)
PSY.107 - Positive Psychology (3)

SPRING - SENIOR YEAR

SPE.120 - Introduction to Public Speaking (3)
MAT.109 - Concepts of Mathematics (3)
HTH.120 - Health (3)

The 1 + 1 program allows WHS students to enroll in college courses at a little slower pace due to their high school commitments. Students take the first year of classes towards their Associate in Arts (AA) degree. After graduation from WHS, they enroll at Sandburg to complete the remainder of their degree requirements. This option still affords students to save money because they could complete a Bachelor’s degree in three years instead of four. The AA degree requires the completion of 61 credit hours and focuses on completing general education courses that are necessary for bachelor’s degrees.

The Associate in Arts degree includes:

English 101 and 102 (6 credit hours)
Introduction to Public Speaking (3 credit hours)
Fine Arts/Humanities (9 credit hours)
Social Sciences (9 credit hours)
Sciences (7 credit hours)
Math (3 credit hours)
Human Relations (3 credit hours)
Electives (21 credit hours)

To complete an AA degree, students must successfully complete the required 61 credit hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

PATHWAY TO 1 + 1 PROGRAM

This is a plan for the AA degree only. Students who desire an AS degree must meet with a Sandburg academic advisor to develop an individual plan. There is no guarantee a WHS student could complete an AS degree in high school due to the availability of classes. Courses may be switched out based on the availability of instructors. This plan will be adjusted for students beginning dual credit courses during their sophomore or junior years.

WHS students will take these courses online, at Sandburg’s campus, or at WHS depending on instructor availability.

Students taking dual credit courses must meet Sandburg admissions standards and complete the steps to enroll. Please refer to the WHS 1 + 1 plan.

Course credit hours are designated in the parentheses.

FALL – JUNIOR YEAR

ENG.101 - Freshman Composition 1 (3)
ART.111 - Art Appreciation (3)

SPRING – JUNIOR YEAR

ENG.102 - Freshman Composition 2 (3)
SOC.101 - Introduction to Sociology (3)

FALL – SENIOR YEAR

MUS.100 - Music in the Western World (3)
HIS.105 - American History to 1877 (3)
PSY.101 - Introduction to Psychology (3)

SPRING – SENIOR YEAR

BIO.101 - General Biology (4)
HIS.106 - American History from 1877 (3)
PHL.102 - Ethics (3)

COMPLETION OF 30 CREDITS AT SANDBURG

CHM.100 - Concepts of Chemistry (3)
MAT.109 - Concepts of Mathematics (3)
SPE.120 - Introduction to Public Speaking (3)
SOC.203 - Introduction to Diversity (3)
Electives (18)

Students who are interested in career paths can take classes towards an Associate in Applied Sciences or certificates while in high school. Depending on the availability of qualified faculty, these career degrees or certificates may be offered at WHS, online, or on Sandburg's campus. Students may also complete some of the courses at WHS, graduate from WHS, and then finish the AAS degree or certificate at Sandburg.

These degrees, offered in the career, technical, and health areas, prepare the student for the workforce. They are not intended to transfer to a four-year college or university. For some of Sandburg’s AAS degrees in health care, students must complete a separate application and meet the established requirements for admission.

COMPUTERS - INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY PATHWAY

WHS students can take online courses in Information and Communication Technology. The certificates listed below must be taken in sequence.

HEALTH PROFESSIONS PATHWAYS

Students who are interested in health careers can accelerate their enrollment into Carl Sandburg College’s selective admissions programs by taking some of the prerequisite courses in high school. Students should meet with a Sandburg academic advisor to discuss admissions requirements and to develop a specific plan to ensure those requirements are met.

Students are encouraged to visit Sandburg’s Health Sciences pathway page to explore their programs.

SAMPLE SCHEDULES

Sandburg’s sample schedules provide dual credit students with a general plan for admission into their limited enrollment health professions programs. Students should meet with a Sandburg advisor to discuss these plans and develop an individualized plan to meet admissions requirements.

Sample schedule for accelerated admission into RN program

Sample schedule for accelerated admission into RN to BSN program

Sample schedule for accelerated admission into Dental Hygiene program

Sample schedule for dual credit then 1 year at Sandburg for Dental Hygiene program