First-State Findings on Supporting Postsecondary Success

Posted by Jobs for the Future on January 22, 2018

By Sara Melnick, Deputy Director, National College Access Network

Delaware may be our nation’s second-smallest state, but as its nickname implies, it’s also the First State. And given work there in the field of college and career readiness, this nickname is fitting. Delaware is at the forefront of ensuring that all its students graduate from high school being college- and career-ready, with a deep understanding of their postsecondary options. For example, the Delaware Pathways to Prosperity initiative is helping high school students explore these options by gaining work experience, earning a credential that has real value to potential employers, and creating a stream of skilled employees in sectors with family-sustaining job openings.

Although effective initiatives such as Pathways do exist in Delaware, leaders from the business, philanthropic, not-for-profit, and government sectors were interested in gaining a clear understanding of the college and career advising and support services to which students have access. What advising and support services are available? What barriers exit to accessing those services? And how can Delaware consider aligning, expanding, or growing these services to serve students more equitably? The results and recommendations of this analysis may be applicable far beyond Delaware. In an effort to answer these and other questions, organizations including Rodel Foundation of Delaware commissioned the report Supporting Postsecondary Success in Delaware: A Landscape Analysis of Student Opportunities. Some of the findings may have implications for your community.

http://www.jff.org/sites/default/files/publications/materials/DE_Landscape_Analysis_Full_Report.pdf