Postsecondary & Career Readiness
The Problem
The data is stark: young adults who do not receive a postsecondary credential within six years of leaving high school face a mere 12% chance of earning a living wage.
In Central Texas, the number of students enrolling in postsecondary education within one year of graduating high school has been declining for the last decade.(1)
But postsecondary success doesn’t start at graduation. It begins before students enter high school.
As part of convening Central Texas in Deliberative Dialogues, we heard the community’s overwhelming concern that we are not adequately preparing our students for the academic challenges and job skills they need. They also identified an inconsistency of information about opportunities across the region.
Education systems are responsible for facilitating student access to opportunities that align with their desired career pathways after high school. It is crucial for the future success of our students.
(1) E3 Alliance analysis of data from the Education Research Center at The University of Texas at Austin.
Data & Trends
Ongoing Strategies
Students can start earning college credit or postsecondary credentials when they are still in high school.
Students who complete at least one college-aligned math course or four years of math in high school enroll in and complete a postsecondary credential at higher rates.
Align High School Coursework to College and Career Goals
We can predict whether students will enroll in a postsecondary program by considering whether they took college and career-aligned coursework in high school.
Even with opportunities available and expanding, only some students complete a postsecondary credential while in high school.
One way our system can support the transition is to align high school endorsements, dual credit, Advanced Placement, industry-based certifications, and other opportunities.
This alignment will help students become academically prepared and assist them in transitioning to life after high school.
Math Peer Learning Network
The E3 Alliance Math Peer Learnign Network is testing practices to improve math pathways in high school. Our goal is to increase the number of students taking math all four years.
Resources
Deliberative Dialogues Summary Findings
Ensuring an Equitable Recovery: Addressing COVID-19s Impact on Education
Advanced Math Policy and Practices Guide
The Central Texas Student Guide for Choosing Math Courses
Guía para estudiantes del centro de Texas que ayudará a elegir cursos de Matemática
