For many years, students often felt they had to choose between college or a career. High school should mirror that reality by offering students opportunities to explore, prepare and take ownership of their next steps. College and career readiness means providing students with the opportunity to build academic rigor, develop career-ready and transferable skills, and gain real-world experience — simultaneously. Dual enrollment programs, for example, allow students to earn college credit while still in high school. In some regions, students graduate with both college credit and industry-recognized certifications by combining dual enrollment with career academies.