Naviance for Elementary School promotes self-discovery and interest exploration to encourage college and career aspirations
Hobsons, a college and career readiness, admissions, and student success company, is launching a digital tool designed to help students in grades K-5 explore the connection between their interests, learning, and life ambitions.
The program is built to complement Hobsons’ popular college and career planning platform Naviance, used by more than 8 million middle and high school students around the world, including close to 30 of the largest 100 school districts in the United States.
Students who include self-discovery as part of their college and career readiness programs at an early age are more likely to remain engaged in their studies through high school graduation and are better prepared to create postsecondary plans that fit their life goals.
Research shows that during childhood, crucial career-related concepts are first formed through interests, exploration, and the development of a self-concept.
The Naviance for Elementary School K-5 exploration tool was developed in response to educator demand for tools to integrate college and career exploration into elementary classrooms to help students understand their individual strengths and interests, and learn how what they’re doing in school connects to what they may want to do later in life. The new solution is aligned to the American School Counselor Association standards, which reflect the importance of supporting early college and career aspirations, particularly among low-income and minority students.
“It’s critical for my students to be introduced to college and careers at this age. The majority of our students’ parents have not had continuing education after high school or might not have completed high school. It’s important that these fifth graders see some of the opportunities that will be available to them one day,” said Tori Blackburn, a fifth grade teacher at Sable Elementary School in Aurora, Colorado, who piloted the new tool. “I truly believe that all of the 10- and 11-year-olds I am around every day think of what their future can hold, thanks to Naviance for Elementary School.”
Naviance for Elementary School includes interactive, age-appropriate, online lessons for students and guides for teachers. Students are able explore what makes them unique, what kind of options lie ahead of them, and what types of preparation and planning can lead to exciting opportunities. Students also learn that their education is a progression of steps that can lead them toward their own path in life, helping them to see why school is critical to their future.
“This isn’t about asking students to narrow their interests or choose a path early, but rather about nurturing and building aspirations. Elementary school is an important time to begin that self-discovery process, so students can make the connection between their interests, learning, and life ambitions,” said Stephen M. Smith, president of Advising and Admissions Solutions at Hobsons. “We’re committed to ensuring that all students have the chance to consider a wide range of options, and develop the skills they need to be successful in school and in life.”
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