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Bridging Education and Career Paths in North Dakota

In a progressive move to better prepare students for their future careers, MetaMetrics has announced a partnership with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction. This collaboration aims to enhance career readiness by utilizing the Lexile Framework for Reading and the Quantile Framework for Mathematics. By integrating these measures, which assess reading and mathematical abilities, into the state’s RUReady.ND platform, students will have access to valuable resources that connect their academic skills to potential career paths across over 600 professions.

The Significance of the RUReady.ND Platform

Launched on January 22, the upgraded RUReady.ND initiative is designed to bridge the gap between education and the workforce. It offers students a chance to explore various career options while utilizing their current assessment data. This modern platform represents a significant step forward in career technology for educators and students alike. Chris Minnich, CEO of MetaMetrics, remarked on the importance of this initiative: "Students don't need more assessments; they need more value from the assessment information they already have.”

The integration of Lexile and Quantile measures into career exploration tools provides a comprehensive way for students to visualize their academic readiness and connect it with real-world applications. In an age where the nature of work is evolving rapidly, students are presented with the opportunity to ask critical questions earlier: What are my career options? Will my educational background equip me for success? The partnership between MetaMetrics and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction addresses these queries by providing clear, actionable insights.

Career Exploration Made Accessible

One of the key features of the RUReady.ND platform is the availability of data-driven insights that correlate students’ literacy and numeracy skills with the requirements of various job roles. By logging into the platform, students can access information about the skills and knowledge required for in-demand careers, both locally and nationally. This includes the ability to compare career options based on Lexile and Quantile ranges, ensuring students understand the reading and mathematics expectations necessary for their fields of interest.

The addition of the Growth Planner tool fosters a proactive approach to education. With this tool, students can receive forecasts on their reading and math performance, helping them to gauge their college and career readiness. The growth predictions are derived from their performance data obtained from the ND A+ Summative Assessment, which tracks progress in grades 3-8 and 10. This forward-thinking strategy not only aids students in setting realistic goals but also alleviates anxiety concerning their futures in higher education or vocational training.

Enhancing Instruction Through Connection

The recent enhancements to RUReady.ND have far-reaching benefits for students, educators, and families alike. By establishing a direct link between educational growth and career opportunities, the platform promotes essential skill development and encourages students to take ownership of their learning journey. It seeks to reduce skill gaps early on, boost motivation by linking current efforts to future goals, and improve goal-setting by providing a realistic overview of one’s skill set.

As stated by Levi Bachmeier, North Dakota's State School Superintendent, "Our vision is that all students will graduate choice-ready with the knowledge and skills to be successful.” This partnership reaffirms their commitment to educational excellence and career readiness, providing students with the tools necessary to thrive in a competitive job market.

The Future of Career Education

MetaMetrics' reputation as a leader in the educational technology sector, particularly in literacy and numeracy measurement, showcases their dedication to innovation. With over 40 years of experience and research backing their frameworks, they have positioned themselves as a trusted source, not only for educators but also for policymakers globally. By continuing to develop solutions that cater to various educational needs, such as career-connected learning and frameworks for non-English languages, MetaMetrics demonstrates a steadfast commitment to inspiring students and educators alike.

Through this partnership with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, students will not only be equipped with knowledge and skills but also with a clear pathway to successful and fulfilling careers. For more information about MetaMetrics and their initiatives, visit MetaMetrics.com.