Illinois PaCE: Postsecondary and
Career Expectations
The Illinois PaCE Framework was developed with extensive input gathered from stakeholders and subject matter experts to provide guidance to students, families, and educators on what types of experiences and information a student should have in order to make the most informed decision about college and career planning, beginning in 8th grade and continuing through high school. The framework is organized around three key areas:
- Career Exploration and Development
- Postsecondary Education Exploration, Preparation, and Selection
- Financial Aid and Literacy
It's recognized that high schools and communities provide a broad array of college and career readiness activities for students, but they are not always well documented and/or connected to other initiatives within a school, district, or community. The intent of the PaCE Framework is for it to be an organizing tool to help acknowledge and connect areas of success and identify those that may need additional attention or resources.
While the PaCE Framework has been adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Community College Board, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for benchmarking college and readiness for students, there is no state mandate to use the PaCE Framework.
High-School-Illinois-PaCE-Framework-07012023.pdf
Middle-School-Illinois-PaCE-Framework-07012023.pdf