About 40 percent of U.S. parents say they would prefer their child enroll in a four-year college immediately after high school, according to a recent Gallup poll. The remaining parents are more interested in other options – including two-year colleges, job training or certification programs, taking time to explore next steps, or going straight into the workforce.
For many families, it doesn’t have to be an either-or choice.
With rising college costs and a workforce being reshaped by technology, more parents are asking an important question: Is a four-year degree the best fit for my child — or is there another path that might serve them better?
For decades, college immediately after high school was seen as the standard for success. Today, families are recognizing the many roads that lead to success. Some students are academically ready for college but struggle to connect their learning to work. Others may not meet college-readiness measures, yet have the math, reading, and problem-solving skills needed for high-demand, well-paying careers.
Seeing More Than One Path to Success
Most families receive information about their children’s readiness for college. What they often don’t receive is insight into how prepared their children may be for careers that don’t require a four-year degree.
When readiness is measured only through a college-first lens, we miss important strengths. We overlook students who are well-suited for technical programs or direct entry into the workforce. And we miss opportunities to support students who need more time or targeted skill-building before taking their next step.
Whether in public, private, or home-based schools, families need access to assessments that help them understand options, not limit them.
Expanding Post-High Schools Mindset
So how can assessments do more to help prepare students for meaningful, fulfilling lives?
Assessments should give families a clearer picture of a student’s strengths and readiness across multiple pathways. College remains a powerful option for many students, but it is not the only path to success — and it shouldn’t be treated as the default measure of readiness.
In today’s skills-focused economy, employers are increasingly looking beyond degrees to what people can actually do. While a college degree often brings long-term value, it doesn’t automatically guarantee job readiness, especially in fast-changing fields.
That’s why assessments should help students understand whether they are ready for college, careers, or both — using proven measures of skills and preparedness.
Among students who took both the ACT and ACT WorkKeys assessments, one in three showed strong foundational workplace skills but did not meet college-readiness benchmarks. Another 30 percent weren’t yet ready for either path — signaling a need for additional support before graduation.
College and career readiness are related, but they are not the same — and students have been telling us that for years.
Better Information Leads to Better Choices
Through close collaboration with employers, ACT has identified the skills that matter most in today’s workforce — such as understanding data, interpreting charts and graphs, and making sense of complex texts.
ACT WorkKeys assessments measure whether students and adults can demonstrate these skills in ways that align with jobs across the economy. When used alongside the ACT, WorkKeys gives families a more complete view of what their child is ready for — and what opportunities might be a strong fit.
For the 60 percent of parents in the Gallup poll who are interested in something other than a four-year degree, this kind of information is invaluable. It replaces guesswork with clarity.
As schools think about how to define postsecondary success, a key question emerges: Do our assessments help families understand the best next steps for their children — or do they only point in one direction?
States Lead the Way
Some states are already rethinking how assessments are used. In places like Louisiana and Kansas, students can take both the ACT and WorkKeys. Rather than steering students toward a single outcome, this approach gives them choices.
Across nearly 40 states, communities are using WorkKeys data to partner with local employers, identify skills gaps, and strengthen workforce opportunities. These efforts are not about discouraging college. They are about raising expectations — ensuring every student graduates with a clear understanding of their strengths and a plan for what comes next.
When families receive trusted information about both college readiness and career readiness, they are better equipped to guide their children toward paths that align with their interests, talents, and goals.
The future of postsecondary success isn’t about choosing one destination. It’s about having good options — and the information needed to choose wisely.
If we want assessments to truly serve students and families, it’s time to move beyond measuring readiness through a college-first lens and embrace tools that reflect the full range of opportunities waiting on the other side of graduation.
Catherine Hofmann is senior vice president of government and public affairs at ACT, www.act.org. She is a former Oklahoma teacher and administrator.
