Published November 18, 2024
High School District 214 recently attended the White House Classroom to Career Summit in Washington, D.C. The invitation follows Dr. Jill Biden's impactful visit to Rolling Meadows High School in November 2022, where she engaged with District 214 students and staff as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
During her visit, Dr. Biden celebrated District 214’s Career Pathways program, which connects students to real-world learning through local partnerships. Accompanied by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, Dr. Biden observed students' projects, including robotics demonstrations and a high-mileage vehicle. Her message to students emphasized the value of career-connected learning.
President Biden and the First Lady hosted nearly 200 leaders in education and workforce development at the White House, where they met with senior officials and Cabinet members to explore how the administration’s “Investing in America” initiative is expanding career opportunities. This national conversation at the summit provided District 214 leaders with insights into strategies for strengthening career readiness programs across the country.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Rowe stated, “Attending the summit reinforced our dedication to providing students with meaningful career pathways. We were honored to contribute to and learn from this national discussion, bringing new ideas to continue enriching opportunities for our students.”
With more than 1,000 partnerships, District 214’s Career Pathways program enables students to explore a variety of fields with hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for future success. The district remains committed to implementing new insights from the summit and expanding access to quality career pathways.
District 214 has solidified its position as a leader in Illinois by providing students with valuable College and Career Pathway Endorsements awarded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). For the Class of 2024, the District received 844 endorsements, which is 512 more endorsements than last year. This significant growth underscores the District's ongoing commitment to preparing students for success in both higher education and the workforce.
District 214 now accounts for 35% of all endorsements awarded across Illinois, despite the fact that three times as many school districts are participating in the endorsement program this year. These endorsements reflect the District’s proactive engagement in Illinois’ College and Career Pathways Endorsement Program, which connects academic coursework with real-world experiences.
For more information about District 214’s career pathways, visit www.d214.org/careerpathways.
