We should recognize that young people today need a multiplicity of pathways from education into careers.
A recent update in EdSource mentioned JFF’s new Big Blur report, in which we call for a radical overhaul of our country’s systems for transitioning students from high school to college and onto careers.
Dual enrollment is a powerful mechanism to support college readiness and success for high school students across the country. Rural schools provide unique advantages but face distinct challenges in creating effective dual enrollment opportunities for students. This case study examines how three rural schools in Texas addressed three challenges rural schools face: overcoming distance to higher education partners, supporting students in navigating the college environment, and building staff capacity to support dual enrollment.
This paper argues for a radical restructuring of education for grades 11–14—by erasing the arbitrary dividing line between high school and college—to open opportunities for the learners our current systems leave behind. We make the case for an entirely new type of institution—neither high school nor college—designed specifically to better meet the needs of young people after 10th grade and help prepare them to succeed in the world of work.
Young people today need a multiplicity of pathways from education into careers— not just the options created more than a century ago.
This brief offers policy-based solutions and examples that can support greater alignment and partnerships across K-12 and postsecondary education, promote scaling, and, ultimately, ensure that every young person has the support necessary for success.
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