Students Placed At-Risk

This policy brief explores how Early College High Schools increase high school graduation rates and postsecondary enrollment to improve outcomes for traditionally undeserved students. The brief provides an overview of Early College High Schools and also presents research that provides evidence of the positive impact Early College High Schools have on student outcomes. The brief also includes recommendations for model policy components that policymakers should consider when implementing Early College High Schools as well state examples.

This brief uses a model by Jobs for the Future to discuss strategies to get learners on-track to effective educational pathways. The “Back on Track Through College” model indicates three overarching pathway benchmarks: Enriched Preparation, Postsecondary Bridging, and First Year Support. Using these points of entry to organize recommendations, this brief suggests using technology as a tool at all stages so that schools, youth programs, colleges and other organizations may leverage it for off-track students.

This report provides a model for competency-based programming aligned to rigorous standards--specifically targeted at off-track youth. The brief outlines the process of developing competencies for struggling students while adhering to the Common Core State Standards and producing college-ready graduates. To contextualize these steps, the report refers to the example of the Boston Day and Evening Academy (BDEA). Tools and resources are integrated throughout the brief to provide a glossary of terms and thorough explanations of key concepts to assist practitioners with the material.

The recent emergence of geen jobs supporting environmental sustainability across a broad range of industries is creating employment opportunities and new career pathways. This report discusses how green jobs may provide options for low-income youth to overcome poverty. In doing so, it offers guidance to youth programs on how to connect disadvantaged youth to the educational and professional development opportunities necessary for a green career. 

Dual enrollment and early college high schools have been shown to have a positive association with college completion rates. However, these programs are often among the first to be cut when state funding gets tight. This report outlines how performance-based funding that rewards outcomes such as graduation rates or annual student growth goals is a promising answer to state funding challenges.