Program at a glance

K–12
Grades covered
6
Pre-apprenticeship components
10+
Standards aligned
2
Core learning pillars

How it works

📚 Pillar 1

Project-Based Learning

The "learning by doing" engine — courses, lessons and workplace-aligned design challenges that build academic, technical and career-readiness skills.

🏅 Pillar 2

Earnables

The "learning by progressing" structure — micro-achievements that track student growth, connect to real economic value and credential their journey.

The K–12 pathway journey

🌱
Elementary
K–5
Career awareness & foundations
🔍
Middle School
6–8
Career discovery & exploration
💼
High School
9–12
Work-based learning
🛠️
Pre-Apprenticeship
Transition
Readiness & preparation
🎓
Apprenticeship
Career
Registered & employed

Pre-apprenticeship core components

🧭

Career Exploration

Informed choice introduced through K–12 stages and reinforced through experiential learning.

🤝

Employability Skills

Developed through structured activities and mentored work-based learning experiences.

💰

Paid Work Experience

An equity strategy and proven predictor of successful postsecondary transition.

👨‍👩‍👧

Family Engagement

Individualized supports introduced through student and family webinars and sustained through mentoring.

🏢

Employer Engagement

Initiated through Ready to RAP webinars and deepened through one-on-one technical assistance.

🚀

Registered Pathways

Explicit transitions into Registered Apprenticeship or sustainable employment.

Standards & framework alignments

IDEA CDOS Standards WIOA NY State Part 200 NY State Part 201 NYCDOE Transition Apprenticeship.gov JFF Framework Pre-ETS / ACCES-VR NYCDOE WBL Framework

Detailed alignments

⚖️ Special Education Legal Framework ▼
  • IDEA: Aligned to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) with individualized IEP instruction, supports and services.
  • IDEA Transition — 34 CFR §300.320 & §300.43: Supports measurable postsecondary goals and coordinated transition services that facilitate movement to education, training and employment.
  • NY State Part 200: Aligned to special education regulations governing evaluation, IEP development, service delivery and transition planning.
  • NY State Part 201: Operates within procedural safeguards protecting students with disabilities, including continuity of services.
  • Section 200.13 – Autism Programs: Supports structured supports, individualized planning and family engagement requirements.
🎯 Transition, Postsecondary Readiness & Career Development ▼
  • NYCDOE Transition Planning: Results-oriented framework including early planning, transition assessments and coordinated activities tied to post-school success.
  • CDOS Standards: Supports progression from career awareness to exploration, preparation and work readiness.
  • Pre-ETS / ACCES-VR Readiness: Engages participation including job exploration, work-based learning, counseling and self-advocacy development.
💼 Work-Based Learning & Career-Connected Instruction ▼
  • NYCDOE WBL Framework: Aligned to supervised WBL experiences including mentoring, job shadowing and internships with required documentation and supports.
  • CTE / WBL Scope & Sequence: Supports sequenced employability skill development aligned to CDOS and WBL requirements.
  • Inclusive Access to WBL: Supports equitable access for students with disabilities with appropriate accommodations and coordination.
📊 Data, Documentation & Compliance ▼
  • IEP-aligned implementation and documentation through structured tracking of goals, Pathway Portfolio artifacts and Earnables transition activities.
  • WBL tracking and accountability including training plans, supervisor feedback and portfolio artifacts.
  • Outcomes reporting including readiness milestones, WBL participation and postsecondary indicators.
StudentUnion Program

K–12 Learning Pathways

A comprehensive career-readiness framework spanning kindergarten through graduation — building skills, credentials, and real economic opportunity for every student.

K–12
Grades covered
6
Core components
10+
Standards aligned
2
Learning pillars
Framework
How It Works
📚 Pillar 1

Project-Based Learning

The "learning by doing" engine — courses, lessons and workplace-aligned design challenges that build academic, technical and career-readiness skills.

🏅 Pillar 2

Earnables

The "learning by progressing" structure — micro-achievements that track student growth, connect to real economic value and credential their journey.

Progression
The K–12 Pathway Journey
🌱
Elementary
K–5
Career awareness & foundations
🔍
Middle School
6–8
Career discovery & exploration
💼
High School
9–12
Work-based learning
🛠️
Pre-Apprenticeship
Transition
Readiness & preparation
🎓
Apprenticeship
Career
Registered & employed
Pre-Apprenticeship
Core Components
🧭

Career Exploration

Informed choice introduced through K–12 stages and reinforced through experiential learning.

🤝

Employability Skills

Developed through structured activities and mentored work-based learning experiences.

💰

Paid Work Experience

An equity strategy and proven predictor of successful postsecondary transition.

👨‍👩‍👧

Family Engagement

Individualized supports introduced through student and family webinars and sustained through mentoring.

🏢

Employer Engagement

Initiated through Ready to RAP webinars and deepened through one-on-one technical assistance.

🚀

Registered Pathways

Explicit transitions into Registered Apprenticeship or sustainable employment.

Compliance & alignment
Standards & Framework Alignments
IDEA CDOS Standards WIOA NY State Part 200 NY State Part 201 NYCDOE Transition Apprenticeship.gov JFF Framework Pre-ETS / ACCES-VR NYCDOE WBL Framework
Deep Dive
Detailed Alignments
⚖️ Special Education Legal Framework ▼
  • IDEA: Aligned to Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) with individualized IEP instruction, supports and services.
  • IDEA Transition — 34 CFR §300.320 & §300.43: Supports measurable postsecondary goals and coordinated transition services that facilitate movement to education, training and employment.
  • NY State Part 200: Aligned to special education regulations governing evaluation, IEP development, service delivery and transition planning.
  • NY State Part 201: Operates within procedural safeguards protecting students with disabilities, including continuity of services.
  • Section 200.13 – Autism Programs: Supports structured supports, individualized planning and family engagement requirements.
🎯 Transition, Postsecondary Readiness & Career Development ▼
  • NYCDOE Transition Planning: Results-oriented framework including early planning, transition assessments and coordinated activities tied to post-school success.
  • CDOS Standards: Supports progression from career awareness to exploration, preparation and work readiness.
  • Pre-ETS / ACCES-VR Readiness: Engages participation including job exploration, work-based learning, counseling and self-advocacy development.
💼 Work-Based Learning & Career-Connected Instruction ▼
  • NYCDOE WBL Framework: Aligned to supervised WBL experiences including mentoring, job shadowing and internships with required documentation and supports.
  • CTE / WBL Scope & Sequence: Supports sequenced employability skill development aligned to CDOS and WBL requirements.
  • Inclusive Access to WBL: Supports equitable access for students with disabilities with appropriate accommodations and coordination.
📊 Data, Documentation & Compliance ▼
  • IEP-aligned implementation and documentation through structured tracking of goals, Pathway Portfolio artifacts and Earnables transition activities.
  • WBL tracking and accountability including training plans, supervisor feedback and portfolio artifacts.
  • Outcomes reporting including readiness milestones, WBL participation and postsecondary indicators.