How do we ensure that quality developmentally-appropriate career programming is available to all of a nation’s youth? How do we convince school leaders that fostering positive career development in elementary school children is an important goal? How do we assist schools and school counselors in developing and implementing quality career programming for K-6 students? This project is identifying best practices in elementary school career development programming, so as to inform state and school district policy and ensure that all youth receive a quality career development foundation to support their later college and career readiness. To this end, this project is examining the current state of elementary school career development programming in six northeastern U.S. states, identifying the 1) beliefs and attitudes about providing career development programming in elementary schools, 2) the pre-service preparation and in-service professional development, 3) the career development foundations and resources, and 4) the school counselor-specific factors and the context-specific conditions that are associated with the provision of quality career development programming to elementary school-aged students. Further it will identify the typical content of elementary school career development activities, the typical processes through which elementary school career content is delivered, and the strategies used by elementary school counselors to ensure that all students have access to and benefit from career development programming.
