Next Step Plans Pave Way for Student Futures

Level All invitations arriving Sept. 2 for students and families to create accounts.

Preparing students for the college or career of their choosing is a top priority for Albuquerque Public Schools, but how can high schools ensure their students are on track for the futures they envision?

That’s where Next Step Plans come in. They are essentially roadmaps that help guide students through the four years of high school so that at the end of that journey, they have completed the necessary classes and taken advantage of internships and other opportunities that set them up for success in their next chapter.

Students and their families set the desired destination – be it an Ivy League college, a state school, a trade, the military or going straight into the workforce – and a tailored year-by-year plan is developed. Students create their Next Step Plans in the eighth grade and revise them each year through their senior year. If aspirations change, the plan is amended to reflect that. 

At APS, students develop their Next Step Plans through Level All, a dynamic online platform that also allows students to navigate the college application process, explore careers and even delve into alternatives to college. The platform is being provided to New Mexico students, educators and families free of charge, thanks to the state Public Education Department.

Students and families will be receiving an email invitation from Level All on Sept. 2.

“Please accept this invitation and create your account,” said Kenneth Salazar, associate superintendent for school climate and supports. “These accounts are a necessary component of Next Step Plan completion required for graduation.”

Level All worked with the state education department to develop a customized Next Step Plan to help students organize and define their postsecondary goals. Students will also have access to Level All’s detailed library of short videos and articles that will help students navigate college, careers and more. Those topics include:

• Succeeding in high school
• Navigating the college application process
• Affording college
• College transition and success
• College alternatives
• Career exploration and preparation
• Financial literacy
• Life skills 

To learn more, take a walkthrough of the Level All platform.