Vector Solutions Supports Student Success and Graduation Pathways at William Penn School District

Helping 150+ Students Earn Industry Credentials and Graduate Career-Ready

The Challenge

The William Penn School District is a 5,000-student district outside of Philadelphia. Its focus is “to nurture and empower all students to become career and/or college ready.”

Pennsylvania’s Act 158 established new high school graduation requirements starting with the class of 2023. Act 158 created multiple pathways for students, each with specific criteria that needed to be met to graduate, such as passing Keystone Exams (state assessments), passing alternative assessments, or completing evidence-based pathways that include requirements like earning an industry-recognized credential.

William Penn School District has about 150-160 students each year for whom the Evidence-Based Pathway, which involves earning industry-recognized credentials, is the best fit. District leaders were seeking curriculum resources to help meet those requirements.

The Choice

The district had been using Vector Solutions’ online courses for staff members for several years. William Garbe, who is in charge of the counseling department for Penn Wood High School, had heard about other school districts in Pennsylvania using Vector’s student courses to support students in pursuing the industry-recognized credentials component of the Evidence-Based Pathway of Act 158, so he requested a demo and ultimately adopted multiple courses, including:

• Leadership and Career Readiness
• Communication Styles and Skills
• Financial Literacy
• Goal Setting for Success
• Interview Skills
• Multiple Intelligences
• Resume Writing
• Skills for Student Success
• Stress Management
• Time Management

The courses focus on important career readiness skills that prepare students for success in multiple career pathways, helping the district meet Act 158 requirements. Garbe selected Vector because the courses are:

• Self-paced, providing flexibility for the students to complete the courses at a time that works for them, whether it’s at home, in advisory periods, or in a study hall. This flexibility makes the courses a convenient way to support students and help them meet graduation requirements.
• Easy to use, intuitive, and easy for students to navigate.
• Trackable, allowing administrators to easily pull course completion information from the Vector system if they need to prove compliance with state policies.

The Change

By partnering with Vector Solutions, the district can better support students in meeting graduation requirements while also teaching them valuable skills for their future. The district assigns Vector courses to help students fulfill requirements under Act 158. Administrators can track completion and provide data if needed to demonstrate that the student met the graduation criteria.

Vector’s courses provide students with awareness, understanding, and skills applicable to any future path, whether they are entering post-secondary education or directly entering the workforce.

Looking ahead, the district is exploring the addition of career readiness courses from Vector’s library to expand the options available to students.

About Vector Solutions

Vector’s FutureReady: Student Skills Suite is a comprehensive online learning solution that helps schools equip middle and high school students with the essential skills they need to thrive, academically, socially, and professionally. Delivered through engaging, flexible modules, the suite builds readiness for school, career, and life across every learner pathway.

Student Wellness & Success

Foundational skills for all students. These courses equip students for success personally, academically, and as they explore and prepare for what comes next, whether that’s work, post-secondary education, or enlistment. Course collections include:

• Career Readiness & Life Skills
• Mental Health & Well-Being
• Healthy Relationships
• Personal Resilience & Safety

Workplace Foundations

Essential professional skills for real-world readiness. These courses are ideal for students preparing for apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning. Course collections include:

• Workplace Compliance & Skills
• Workplace Safety & Microlearning

Industry Pathways & Credentials

Targeted training and certifications for career-bound students. These courses align with CTE program standards and workforce credential goals.

• Industry Skills
• OSHA 10-hour General Industry & Construction, 30-hour Construction

Work-Based Learning

Vector Pathways is a complementary Work-Based Learning platform that supports more effective WBL experiences through streamlined workflows, business partner engagement, and digital experience tracking.