Michigan College Month, led by the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), is an opportunity to help students and families explore the many pathways available after high school while reinforcing the importance of planning for the future. Postsecondary readiness is about much more than applying to a four-year university. It includes community colleges, skilled trades, apprenticeships, military service, industry-recognized credentials, and other training programs that lead to rewarding careers.

This work is especially important in Michigan. The state has set a goal for 60% of working-age adults to earn a degree or credential by 2030 (Sixty by 30). By 2031, about 70% of Michigan jobs will require education or training beyond high school, according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.

As schools celebrate Michigan College Month, it’s important to remember that postsecondary readiness begins long before students reach high school and that some students may need additional support to see themselves in a postsecondary future. This month, we’re highlighting two professional learning opportunities that address these priorities: Building Futures for K-8 educators and College Ready for All for high school teams.

Building Postsecondary Awareness from the Start

When elementary and middle school educators help students explore their interests, connect learning to the real world, and imagine their futures, they are already doing college- and career-readiness work.

One large study found that children’s career aspirations change very little between ages 7 and 17, making elementary school a critical time to introduce students to future possibilities. The same study found that 36% of children as young as seven base their career aspirations on people they know. As second-grade teacher Melissa Collins writes in Edutopia, many students have limited opportunities outside school to explore careers. Conversations about the full range of options after high school help broaden students’ understanding of what is possible and reinforce the belief that a successful future is within reach.

The good news is that college awareness doesn’t require a separate program or additional curriculum. It can be woven into practices many educators already use, including career speakers, classroom discussions, goal-setting activities, and connections to community partners.

The goal is not to tell students what they should do after high school. The goal is to help them develop awareness of all their postsecondary options.

Ensuring Every Student Can See Their Postsecondary Future

Every student deserves the opportunity to envision a future beyond high school, yet some student groups face significant barriers to postsecondary access and success. For example, students from low-income families are about half as likely to earn a postsecondary credential as their higher-income peers, and first-generation students often face additional challenges navigating college and career pathways. Students with disabilities also complete college at lower rates and are less likely to be employed than their peers without disabilities. English learners and students experiencing foster care or housing instability face unique hurdles as well.

These realities show why college and career readiness must be intentionally designed to reach all students. When educators provide early exposure to postsecondary pathways, high expectations, and inclusive support, they help ensure that every student can see themselves in a successful future. This work takes a whole team, from teachers and counselors to English learner (EL) coaches, special education staff, and social workers.

Getting Started: Two Professional Learning Opportunities

Building Futures: A College Awareness Series for Elementary Educators

To support this work, we invite K-8 educators and school counselors to join Building Futures: A College Awareness Series for Elementary Educators. This free, asynchronous professional learning series provides practical strategies, ready-to-use resources, and age-appropriate activities that help students connect today’s learning to tomorrow’s opportunities. Participants can earn up to 5 State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs), which also count toward School Counselor College Preparation and Selection requirements.

Participants can join at any time this school year. Registration is open through May 12, 2027, and new participants begin on the first of the month following registration. Register for Building Futures by October 31 to begin November 1.

College Ready for All: A Free Webinar Series

Our College Ready for All series explores strategies for supporting students with disabilities, English learners, first-generation students, students from low-income families, students experiencing foster care or housing instability, and other historically underserved populations. Participants will learn how to create more equitable college- and career-readiness experiences while building systems that ensure every student has access to information, opportunities, and encouragement. Each of the six one-hour sessions offers 1 SCECH, also available as School Counselor College Preparation and Selection credit, and you can register for one session or all six.

This series is designed for high school counselors, teachers, and administrators, as well as EL coaches, special education staff, school social workers, and McKinney-Vento liaisons. Consider registering as a building team.

Explore the College Ready for All series. The first session is October 28.

Preparing students for life after high school isn’t just about helping some students get there. It’s about making sure all students can get there.

This blog post was written by Julia DeGroot and Samantha Jackson, College & Career Readiness Consultants for Kent ISD, and edited by Amanda Walma, T&L Marketing and Communications Specialist for Kent ISD.