In the U.S., many students are plagued by an inadequate curriculum to prepare themselves for college and career options; and often times, they don’t learn of career options until after they leave high school. So the critical questions to be asked are: How can we expose children to career paths at an early age? How does the book, “A Child’s Dream” relate to the 16 national career clusters delineated by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE)?

Research purports there is an ongoing gap between what public schools are teaching and what colleges are expecting their incoming students to know when they matriculate on their campuses. This contributes to a national college and career readiness issue and a need for our K-12 standards such as the Common Core State Standards to be vertically aligned with college.

In addition to this curriculum alignment, school leaders such as teachers should start exposing children to potential career opportunities as early as the elementary level. This is essential if students are to be prepared for highly skilled jobs in the foreseeable future. As a component of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, public school students in many states are given the opportunity to choose a potential job to pursue or path of study in one of the 16 national career clusters delineated by the U.S. Department of Education.

Some of the career clusters are (1) agriculture, food and natural resources, (2) audio/visual technology and communications, (3) architecture and construction, (4) business, management and administration and (5) education and training. In February 2015, The Holmes Education Post will release its latest book on, “A Child’s Dream” which exposes children at an early age to 16 professional careers related to the career clusters delineated by the USDOE. This book provides colorful illustrations to capture children’s interest while developing their reading skills. It also provides an opportunity for children to color the illustrations on each page, which will further enhance the learning process.

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of seven books, “Education Questions to be Answered,” “Current Issues and Answers in Education,” “How to Eradicate Hazing,” “Professional Career Paths” “Your Answers to Education Questions,” “How to revitalize the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.” and “Completing the Dissertation: Tips, techniques and real-life experiences from Ph.D. graduates.” He is publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper.  Holmes is a former teacher, school administrator and district superintendent. He can be reached at [email protected]