District 97 outlines middle‑school career‑exploration plan tied to PACE framework

District 97 presented a plan to expand middle‑school career exploration and inspiration, aligning grade‑level activities with the state PACE framework and the district’s Portrait of an Oak Park Graduate.

Assistant Superintendent Doctor De Leon and the middle‑school team described a phased rollout that includes: adopting an approved framework, posting resources on the district website, using the School Links career‑exploration platform compatible with the local high school, and convening teacher and support staff teams over the summer and fall to build curriculum and activities.

Why this matters: state guidance requires districts to adopt a career‑exploration framework and demonstrate implementation of grade‑appropriate activities by July 1. Staff said the district will use School Links so middle‑school students get continuity with Oak Park‑River Forest High School and planned outreach will include students with disabilities and IEPs.

District presenters said the work is community‑driven and iterative. Doctor De Leon said the PACE framework gives baseline grade‑level expectations while the district will “build on it to create our D97 framework of career inspiration that ties to the portrait of the graduate.” Staff described ongoing steps: core‑team meetings in spring, broader staff outreach, a planned website launch for resources, and continued curriculum work through fall.

Questions from trustees centered on representation in materials, inclusion of students with IEPs and linking career exploration to broader district goals such as change‑agent and global‑connector competencies.

Next steps: staff will finalize website content, continue summer and fall curriculum planning, and report back to the board as work proceeds.