College and Career Readiness (CCR) is at the heart of the primary goals of school districts—ensuring every student graduates on time, fully prepared for their next steps, and positioned for long-term success. Because of this, CCR initiatives now span the full K-12 spectrum and transcend nearly all district departments and divisions. CCR outcomes are now used to assess district success and CCR metrics are built into key state and federal reporting requirements. And during this time, there has been a rapid maturation of sophisticated digital tools to underpin key elements of CCR work. Because of this, digital CCR tools have dominated many district budgets and procurement considerations. 

This evolution comes at a challenging moment when school districts across the country must do more with fewer resources amid declining enrollments and reduced funding levels. District leaders are forced to make difficult budgetary choices that eliminate inefficiencies while maximizing every available dollar. In this environment, ensuring that educators and administrators have the tools needed to guide students to high school graduation—and beyond—requires a streamlined, cost-effective approach.

This ebook provides district Chief Financial Officers with resources to evaluate and assess current CCR digital tools and expenditures. It offers questions and data to help districts thoughtfully consider whether streamlining CCR tools to a single, comprehensive platform could lower overall costs and expand program offerings. By adopting this kind of cohesive approach, districts can enhance operational efficiency and optimize resource allocation–ultimately, empowering their students with the tools and support they need to achieve postsecondary success.