School districts and their partners play a more critical role than ever in preparing students for success in life following high school graduation. Recent history shows us that a concerted nationwide effort can improve students’ outcomes, such as the gains made in high school graduation rates over the past 20 years.
It’s past time for a similar push to increase the number of students successfully transitioning to a college and career pathway that sets them up for later success.
Unfortunately, the U.S. education system still too often operates like high school is an offramp for many students, especially those students who are furthest from opportunity. Turning that offramp into a glide path to their next educational experience is a tremendous opportunity not just for students, but also their families, their communities and our nation’s future prosperity. Every high school student, no matter their zip code, deserves the effective postsecondary advising and experiences they need to take their next, best step.
The data is clear: not enough students have the opportunity to take that step. Although overall postsecondary attainment for 25-34 year-olds stands at 56.3% nationally, attainment varies significantly according to students’ socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds; Black, Latino and Indigenous students, as well as students with low incomes and men generally, experience significantly lower rates of postsecondary credential completion.
Superintendents on the move: Hiring is picking up with new school year
Research shows that students who receive postsecondary advising are more likely to enroll in and to complete a postsecondary education. Effective advising provides students with critical guidance and support to navigate the complex landscape of postsecondary education and career options and make informed decisions that align with their interests, abilities and goals.
During the last year, representatives of 17 organizations that support K12 districts and schools to advance effective college and career advising came together to distill what we’ve learned about how school districts make the transition from education offramp to higher education pathway. Our efforts yielded a District Framework for Enabling Postsecondary Success, a manageable document highlighting five principles.
It proposes a common language for those engaged in this work and conveys shared priorities for moving it forward. It is designed to be a collaborative resource, inviting district leaders and community partners to assess current practices, identify areas for improvement and forge partnerships to enhance advising programs.
5 student success characteristics
In our experience, school districts that are committed to systematic college and career advising for all students demonstrate the following characteristics:
- The district’s leadership is publicly committed to students’ postsecondary success. This commitment is more than just words; it is a declaration of intent that sets the tone for the entire educational community and creates a shared vision and sense of purpose, driving efforts towards effective advising practices. It includes policies and measurable goals as well as a framework for accountability and progress tracking.
- The district sets strategy and allocates resources to reach postsecondary goals. By strategically allocating financial and human resources, districts ensure that all students have access to the support and guidance they need. This includes providing professional development for educators, investing in technology and tools for advising and supporting initiatives that promote college and career readiness.
- The district ensures that schools have capacity to support students. Districts must support schools in creating a culture that values and prioritizes college and career readiness. Schools also need clear structures for delivering advising services, including designated advising staff and access to resources and tools.
- The district collaborates with postsecondary institutions and community partners. Collaboration with postsecondary institutions, community-based organizations and employers helps ensure that district strategies align with the needs and opportunities of the local community.
- The district uses real-time data to continuously improve postsecondary advising and outcomes and to empower students and families. Real-time data allows districts and schools to track student progress and experiences, identifying areas where additional support or intervention may be needed. This proactive approach can lead to improved student outcomes and success.
We intend this framework to deepen conversations in districts and schools. Changing historic systems requires a commitment to confronting complexity and to developing deep understanding.
We hope this is a first draft of a roadmap for districts and their partners to better cultivate an environment where effective and equitable advising thrives. That roadmap offers many routes to success, but we firmly believe there is power in advancing a vision of our shared destination with everyone who plays a role in supporting students’ journeys. We collectively believe the practices that lead to these conditions should be present in every school district.
There was a time when most U.S. high school graduates didn’t need more education to get a good job. Those days are long gone, and the stakes are too high not to act with urgency. By spurring collaboration and alignment on key priorities, we can more quickly reach the day when every U.S. high school student has reliable access to good-fit college and career advising.
