Outcomes / Southern Oregon Education Service District
160% increase in CTE enrollment across regional districts
See how Southern Oregon ESD aligns programs to workforce demand with YouScience
Aptitude-based career discovery helped identify student pathways, increase participation, and close regional program gaps.
Segment: District-level ESC / K–12 Public Education / Oregon
Products: Aptitude & Career Discovery
Challenge
Southern Oregon ESD needed to increase enrollment in its CTE programs while ensuring those programs aligned with real workforce demand. Participation hovered around 60%, and the district identified gaps between available programs and high-demand careers like healthcare and construction. They needed a way to understand student interest and align pathways to regional economic needs.
Solution
SOESD implemented YouScience Aptitude & Career Discovery through a statewide pilot to guide program alignment and student pathway decisions. They improved outcomes by:
- Using aptitude data to identify student interests and best-fit career pathways
- Aligning CTE offerings to regional workforce demand and economic data
- Guiding student course selection through individualized advising based on aptitudes
This created a more intentional system for connecting student potential to program enrollment and regional workforce needs.
Results
- Increased CTE enrollment:
- Up to 160% growth in program enrollment
- Some classes reached nearly 200% capacity
- Expanded program participation:
- Schools in the pilot grew from 25 to 200 statewide
- Improved pathway alignment:
- Students made more informed course selections based on aptitude and career fit
