Fulton, Morrison students receive Pathways recognition

SPRINGFIELD — Select students from Fulton and Morrison high schools were among 47 from across the state who received College and Career Pathways endorsements on their 2021 diplomas, the Illinois State Board of Education said.

From Fulton, they were Brianna Anders, Kyle Collachia and Tiffany Smith in the discipline of human and public services, which includes education. From Morrison, Emily Henson also was recognized in human and public services.

According to the ISBE, the endorsement works like declaring a major in colleges. It certifies to colleges, universities and future employees the student has specialized in a specific field.

The other fields are health science technology and manufacturing, engineering, technology and trades.

Participants had to create an individualized college or career plan, engaged in hands-on career exploration or workplace-based experiences such as internships, completed two years of coursework including six hours of early college credit and met the standards for non-remedial college coursework.

In 2015, the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act created the endorsements. In addition to Fulton and Morrison, high schools in Downers Grove, Norridge and Vienna offer the program.

“The students who have earned College and Career Pathway Endorsements have gone above and beyond the minimum high school graduation requirements. Having this prestigious endorsement on their diploma shows the world that these students know what they want to do for a career and have the skills and knowledge to be successful in their chosen field,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Carmen I. Ayala in a news release. “I congratulate these students for their hard work and for planning for their futures and I appreciate their school districts for leading the way in offering this opportunity.”