Old Saybrook, Conn. — As Connecticut moves to strengthen career pathways statewide, Old Saybrook Public Schools is already implementing a PK–12 Pathways to Success framework designed to connect academic readiness, student interests, real-world learning, and future opportunity from elementary school through graduation. The district’s work comes at a pivotal time as Governor Ned Lamont recently signed an executive order establishing the Connecticut Career Pathways Commission, a statewide effort charged with developing a modernized career pathways system for students and job seekers.
Old Saybrook’s 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, formally adopted by the Board of Education on January 13, 2026, reflects many of the same priorities now being elevated at the state level. The district’s Pathways model is built around a developmental continuum, with Foundations at Goodwin Elementary School, Exploration at Old Saybrook Middle School, and Direction & Opportunity at Old Saybrook High School. Rather than beginning pathway work only in high school, Old Saybrook has committed to a coherent PK–12 approach that helps students build skills, explore interests early, and graduate with greater purpose and readiness for college, career, and life.
Governor Lamont’s executive order calls for a statewide system that better aligns education, workforce needs, employer engagement, credentialing, and work-based learning in response to major shifts in artificial intelligence, automation, and global competition. The state commission will organize its work around four major pillars: pathway design and delivery, credentialing and quality, work-based learning and employer engagement, and policy, funding, data, and accountability. Old Saybrook Public Schools sees this announcement as a strong affirmation that districts must prepare students not only academically, but also through relevant, connected, and future-focused experiences.
“The Old Saybrook Board of Education is excited about the potential of aligning the Old Saybrook Public Schools Strategic Plan Career Pathways model with the work of the commission to better position our programs for growth, collaboration, funding, and recognition,” said Karen Brodeur, Chairman of the Board of Education.
“Old Saybrook has already begun building the kind of aligned, student-centered system that this new statewide effort is calling for,” said Superintendent Chris Drezek. “Our Pathways work is about more than course offerings. It is about creating a clear, meaningful journey for students from their earliest school experiences through graduation, one that helps them discover who they are, what they care about, and where they want to go.”
The district’s Pathways to Success framework was developed through a multi-year review of district data, stakeholder feedback, accreditation findings, and implementation work already underway across schools. Research and community input showed strong support for career pathways, real-world learning, stronger PK–12 alignment, and earlier opportunities for students to explore interests. In response, Old Saybrook organized its work around four districtwide pillars: Belonging & Ram Identity, Interest Discovery & Exploration, Academic Skills & Readiness, and Real-World Learning & Community Partnerships.
At Goodwin Elementary School, this means building strong academic and social foundations through expanded instructional time, tiered intervention supports, and community-building structures. At Old Saybrook Middle School, students are gaining earlier exposure to their interests through new specials, student-led conferences, and community partnerships. At Old Saybrook High School, students will be able to pursue defined pathways in areas such as Business, Medical Science, Technology & Engineering, and Humanities, supported by advanced coursework, early college opportunities, and expanded real-world experiences.
The governor’s new commission is expected to seek stakeholder and public feedback as it develops recommendations for Connecticut’s future career pathways system, with a final report due by December 31, 2026. For Old Saybrook, the announcement reinforces that this work is not a passing trend, but part of a larger statewide and national movement to ensure students are prepared for a rapidly changing world.
“Pathways to Success reflects who we are as a district and where we believe education must go next,” Drezek said. “We are proud that Old Saybrook is not waiting for the future to arrive. We are building it now.”
For more information on the Old Saybrook Public Schools 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, Pathways to Success, please visit https://www.oldsaybrookschools.org/o/osps/page/strategic-plan.