How is Career Kickstart similar to and different from AP?

Career Kickstart courses are powered by the AP features that educators value most:
- Frameworks that clarify the important course knowledge and skills students need
- Robust teacher training
- Dedicated educator communities
- Free student resources
- High quality assessments that give students the opportunity to earn college credit (starting 2025-26)
- The broadest national network of college credit policies
Career Kickstart is designed for schools’ career and technical education programs and can be taken by all students who are interested in exploring careers or learning more about Career Kickstart course subjects. Career Kickstart is not, however, exclusively for students who are on a CTE track.
- Career Kickstart offers two-course pathways that equip students for in-demand careers.
- Industry experts join college faculty in defining the scope and sequence of Career Kickstart courses. For example, the Career Kickstart Cybersecurity pathway’s advisory committee includes representatives from Amazon Web Services, CompTIA, IBM, and U.S. Bank.
- Courses emphasize hands-on, project-based learning built around authentic scenarios and supported by scaffolded lessons that help ensure success for all students.
- Courses teach both professional and technical skills which will offer a competitive edge when entering the workforce or applying to postsecondary schools.
- Courses align to CTE standards and credentials valued by industry.