“Readiness is not a destination. It is the capacity to anticipate change, make informed decisions, and act before a challenge becomes a crisis.” — Philip Martell
2026 Readiness Reports
The Readiness Report
The Current Issue
Why Career Exploration Has to Start Before High School
Issue No. 10 | August 2026
For years, we have asked students to make increasingly important decisions about courses, pathways, college, training, and careers—often before they have had enough meaningful exposure to understand what is actually possible.
That is the problem this edition addresses.
The middle grades are a critical window for career curiosity. This is the time when students begin forming stronger beliefs about their interests, abilities, identity, and future. Yet career exploration is still too often treated as something that begins later.
I hope this edition contributes to a larger conversation about how we help every student develop the awareness, confidence, language, and experiences needed to build a meaningful future.
Published by Red Rock Strategies
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Each edition of The Readiness Report examines a critical challenge affecting America’s institutions, infrastructure, workforce, technology, and national security—and provides actionable recommendations for leaders preparing for what comes next.
