Book excerpt: Build students independent living skills and prepare them for success beyond high school! This program meets the newest FACS standards. Students are prepared for career or college with full-page Career Pathway or College Readiness features. Career cluster guidance, job outlook, education and training, and 21st Century Skills are included. Career Readiness: is also focused on thorough résumé writing, job interview prep, and portfolio building activities and guidance. College Readiness includes information on scholarships, financial matters, and the college application process. Project-based pedagogy is used throughout this program through Unit Portfolio Projects. Financial literacy education is integrated throughout this program, both in the context of projects and activities and with specific chapter-based Financial Literacy features that include math practice. 21st Century Skills: Time-management skills, leadership skills, interpersonal skills, and teamwork skills are focused on. Succeed in School and Life features appear throughout each chapter to reinforce skills concepts and applications. Rigorous, standards-based academic integration to support the Perkins legislation mandate is included. Family and community connections are approached through activities in each chapter. Independent living skills, self-discovery, and value-based self-affirmation are focused on. Includes: Print student edition