State task force launches to align K–12 advising with career and academic pathways

The K–12 Student Success Pathways Task Force convened its first meeting on Aug. 28 to develop state guidance for counseling and advising that connects students to both college and career options. Staff described an 18-month charge to review laws and policies, analyze student trajectories, and recommend interim and final policy shifts to support implementation across school systems.

The assistant superintendent for career and college readiness at the Department of Education opened the session and outlined the group’s mission: to examine how counseling is delivered, what data exist about student post‑graduation pathways, and where policy changes could improve outcomes. The task force will produce an interim report to inform legislative and administrative options and a final report in January 2027. The group scheduled its next meetings for Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. and Nov. 2 at 1 p.m.