Education Northwest’s Post

Shifting perspectives on alternative high school models: our collaboration with Annie E. Casey Foundation – guided by student experience – was focused on momentum toward college and career pathways, supportive relationships, and wraparound services. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4947EQN #StudentSuccess #AlternativeEducation

JFF's Big Blur featured in EdSurge: EdSurge's latest article on the rise of dual enrollment programs references our very own Joel Vargas' 2021 op-ed, "It’s Time to Blur the Boundaries Between High School, College and Work." In his forward-thinking piece, Joel highlighted early trends where, as of 2010, 15% of community college entrants (or 1.4 million students total) were still in high school. A figure that has only grown thanks to the growing prevalence of dual-enrollment programs. For example, in Texas, over 7,100 students earned associate degrees in the 2018-19 academic year alone, many of which included industry certifications. Follow the link to read the article: https://hubs.la/Q02LWfnt0 #ReimagineEducation #TransformWorkandLearning #TheBigBlur

Is dual enrollment about saving money for college-bound students or opening doors for underserved learners? Why not both? A recent Inside Higher Ed article (https://lnkd.in/eJYTfChg) highlights John Fink's report from the Community College Research Center (https://lnkd.in/eRgvrMur) that shows dual enrollment’s potential to reduce costs *and* expand access. The latest numbers from the National Student Clearinghouse show that the recent uptick in completion rates may be due in part to higher rates of participation in dual enrollment (https://lnkd.in/gZ8w2HzN) At Strada, we see it as both an affordability and equity strategy—but there’s more to learn so we can scale intentionally. With gifted partners and researchers, we're exploring how to: 1️⃣ Ensure dual enrollment credits actually reduce time to completion 2️⃣ Expand access to all districts by addressing instructor shortages 3️⃣ Reach underrepresented students through equity-focused experiments at the state level (https://lnkd.in/enf8vu3q) Dual enrollment’s promise is worth the investment!

📝 Rethinking High School: New Models for Modern Education 📝 This EdWeek article illuminates innovative approaches some districts are taking to reimagine the high school experience. By focusing on personalized learning, career pathways, and real-world skills, these schools are shaping students for the future, not just the next test. As we strive to adapt education to the needs of today’s students, it’s inspiring to see districts leading the way with fresh ideas. #EducationInnovation #HighSchoolReform #FutureReady

100% agree that building purpose and pathways from primary through secondary and into post-secondary/career is a top strategy for student engagement and success. The attendance gains alone were incredible when we connected at-risk students to career goals and work-based learning at Highlands P-TECH. Curious how we can keep these learners engaged to finish out technical degrees with support from local industry once they finish the high school diploma. I’d add that solid advising processes and practices (including informal advising via mentorship) are crucial as well.

📚 As New York discusses phasing out Regents exams, Rhode Island introduces new, flexible graduation standards. Both states are rethinking how to best prepare students for success after high school. 🎓✨ 🌟 Rhode Island's approach offers interesting insights into alternative methods, including real-world skills and diverse pathways. As education evolves, it's crucial to consider various strategies for inclusive, effective learning. 🤔 What aspects of these approaches do you find most promising? Share your thoughts! 💬 #EducationReform #InclusiveEducation

At Jobs for the Future (JFF), we see a growing trend among community colleges embracing dual enrollment, with high school students now making up a significant portion of their student bodies. This shift presents an exciting opportunity: What if these colleges reimagined themselves as hybrid institutions that blend high school and college into a seamless experience for students in grades 11-14? This concept aligns with JFF’s “Big Blur” vision, which envisions a future where the lines between high school and college are erased, creating new pathways for young people to succeed in both education and the workforce. In our latest blog, we explore innovative examples from community colleges in Colorado, Massachusetts, and Texas that are leading the way. These schools are rethinking traditional structures, offering early college career pathways, and providing robust support systems that help students earn high school diplomas and associate degrees simultaneously. Read more about these pioneering initiatives and how they’re setting the stage for the future of education >> https://hubs.la/Q02LmjZm0 #TransformWorkandLearning #ReimagineEducation #DualEnrollment #BigBlur #CommunityColleges #WorkforceDevelopment #FutureOfWork

Amid much progress, there is unfinished business in the college attainment movement. And presidents of higher education institutions agree - it’s time to reimagine college and secure the promise of learning beyond high school for all Americans. Sova team member Jenny Schanker, Ed.D spoke to Makola M. Abdullah, president of Virginia State University, Bill Pink, president of Ferris State University, and William Serrata, president of El Paso Community College as presidents exploring new ideas and partnerships to revitalize learning. They called for closer partnerships with employers, a renewed focus on credentials, and the need for faculty from all academic areas—including humanities and liberal arts—to prepare students to thrive in the workforce as they work with national education leaders like Lumina Foundation to achieve its ambitious goal for 60 percent of American adults to earn a degree or high-value credential by 2025 Read more in the Road to 60 blog series: https://lnkd.in/gC4vtXnT

As April approaches, so does Decisions Season: that crucial time when high school seniors must choose where they will continue their post-secondary education. One reminder I always want to share with students/families: look past rankings, prestige, and public opinion. These are often the factors that peers, parents, and even teachers (mistakenly) emphasize during the college search/admissions process: ironically, they're also the factors that arguably matter least when it comes to the actual experience you'll have over the next four years. With that in mind, here's a different set of questions to consider: 1) How does this campus support all of its students in succeeding? What do retention/graduation rates look like - and if they're lower for students from underrepresented backgrounds, why is that? What supports exist on-campus for students of color and students from first-generation or low-income backgrounds? In short: will you be cared for here? 2) What is the school's academic culture like? Do students get opportunities to build authentic and intimate relationships with peers, teaching assistants, and faculty? What do outside resources (tutoring, mentoring) look like, and do students actually use those resources? Does the school's culture support making mistakes, learning collaboratively, and seeking help, or is it sink-or-swim? 3) What learning experiences does the school value and emphasize? Are there opportunities to connect knowledge across different subject areas, to apply knowledge between the classroom and the real world, and to broaden your perspective through travel, work, or other pursuits? What kinds of real world problems are students tackling during their college education? After they graduate? 4) Does the leadership of the school make decisions with students in mind? (For example, some schools have responded to the ongoing delays with FAFSA by extending their enrollment deadlines, waiving enrollment/housing deposits, and accommodating students. Other schools have refused to budge on "deadlines" that clearly won't be met either way. Ask yourself: what does that say about institutional leadership and priorities? Does this school take care of its student body in response to crises or emergencies?) I hope these are questions that can ground students and families and keep them focused on what matters - leave the rankings-obsessing and prestige-chasing to other people, and remember that you have the power to create the educational experience you want for yourself no matter where you choose to go! In closing, I'd like to shout-out this report from The Chronicle of Higher Education on University of California, Riverside, a great example of a school whose mission of creating social mobility and making a quality education accessible to all students drives its decisions and design.

The aftermath of the pandemic has forced many states and communities to really consider what high school is, and what it could be. This inflection point provides a unique and transformational opportunity to reengage learners, to reinvest in communities, and to reimagine how a diploma can deliver value and opportunity. In his latest piece for Forbes, Matt Gandal explores 3 ideas to make high school more meaningful, including building postsecondary momentum, designing high quality career-connected learning opportunities, and expanding direct admissions. Are there any other promising practices you would include on the list? https://lnkd.in/gXAvugui