Kuder, Inc., Tennessee College and Career Planning System Celebrate 1.2 Million Career Assessments

ADEL, Iowa, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kuder, Inc. (Kuder) announced today that a significant milestone has been reached in Tennessee. Over 1.2 million Kuder career assessments have been completed by students in grades six through 14 throughout the state.

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The assessments are a part of the Tennessee College and Career Planning System, powered by Kuder^® (TCCPS) a free online resource sponsored by Edsouth, a Tennessee-based nonprofit organization that provides support services and educational loan programs for students and parents throughout the country.

Since its inception in 2003, the system has served as a one-stop career development hub for Tennessee students in both public and private schools. The TCCPS, accessible at www.planningyourdreams.org, aligns with Tennessee school counseling standards and contains virtually everything students need to explore career interests and get a jump-start on career decision-making.

The engine behind the TCCPS is the evidence-based Kuder^® Career Planning System™ (KCPS), which is backed by 75 years of research and development. Kuder system users demonstrate an 11 percent increase in academic performance, transition into postsecondary education at a rate of over 90 percent, and complete college faster than non-Kuder users.

"We congratulate Tennessee for this notable accomplishment," said Kuder President Phil Harrington. "It's truly something to celebrate because assessment is the first and most critical step in effective career exploration and planning," he said.

"The KCPS is an assessment-centered system," said JoAnn Harris-Bowlsbey, Ed.D., executive director of product development for Kuder. "The Kuder assessments don't define who students are or what their careers should be, but they're extremely valuable in helping students narrow their search and consider options they may not have previously," she said.

The Kuder assessments are among the few online career guidance instruments that meet or exceed professional standards set forth by the American Psychological Association, the American Educational Research Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education. To date, the Kuder assessments have helped over 150 million people worldwide determine their career aspirations.

"Kuder's three assessments [enable students] to see their futures from a career perspective … this is a much-needed lens," said Gini Dochety, a business technology teacher at North Greene High School in Greeneville, Tennessee.

Over the past 10 years, Edsouth has contributed a generous $3 million to fund the TCCPS. Over 720,000 Tennessee students have used the system to create a roadmap for educational and career success. Edsouth also operates Student Outreach Services ("SOS"), a community service program that promotes student interest in higher education by increasing awareness of college, career, and financial aid opportunities. SOS staff support school counselors and teachers by providing free college and career planning resources and services to students and parents.

"The TCCPS gets students motivated to complete their education and embark on a satisfying career," said Lana Craig, director of student outreach services for Edsouth.

About Edsouth:  Edsouth is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation organized for the purpose of acquiring postsecondary education loans. Edsouth promotes interest and awareness of higher education opportunities to students, families, and schools across the country. Working with high school counselors, college and university administrators, and industry partners, Edsouth enables students to maximize their potential and fulfill their goals in life through higher education.

About Kuder:  For 75 years, Kuder has brought reliable, evidence-based career guidance solutions to people of all ages, and for populations throughout the world. With affordable solutions for pre-K through retirement, our customizable products and services reflect a commitment to encouraging lifelong learning, development, and achievement.

SOURCE Kuder, Inc.