Essential Questions for Postsecondary Completion

Postsecondary Completion Playbook: Chapter 2

Overview

Postsecondary completion is a key gateway to opportunity. Enrollment opens the door, but finishing the path — whether through a two- or four-year degree, career and technical education, or an apprenticeship — is what unlocks economic mobility and long-term stability. Communities can make a difference by ensuring students have strong support networks, access to financial aid and pathways that lead to meaningful careers.

This is part 2 of StriveTogether’s Cradle-to-Career Outcomes Playbook: Postsecondary Completion. The playbook synthesizes research and practical guidance communities can use to improve postsecondary completion.

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Postsecondary Completion

1. To what extent are students completing their chosen postsecondary pathway, earning degrees and/or credentials of value?
2. Are students completing credentials of value after high school that set them up for success in the workforce?
3. Are students attending institutions with well-designed programs that help them efficiently move towards degree completion?

Postsecondary persistence

4. Are students experiencing sufficient early momentum in postsecondary education to be on track for on-time completion?
5. Do students have access to adequate support to enable them to succeed academically and in the workforce?
6. Are students attending institutions offering quality pathways that lead to employment in quality jobs?
7. Do students attend institutions that provide adequate financial aid and that are adequately funded to offer a quality educational experience?

Support networks that build social capital

8. Do students have strong, supportive relationships with professors, mentors and other influential adults?
9. Do students have access to paid, relevant internships, work-study programs, apprenticeship programs or other work-based learning opportunities?
10. Do students have effective, representative college and work-based learning educators?

Experiences and neighborhood conditions

11. Do families live in well-resourced neighborhoods?
12. Do families with children have access to public support (i.e., health care access, nutrition programs, economic support, etc.)?

Positive, supportive environments

13. Do students attend postsecondary institutions and programs with safe and inclusive environments?
14. Do students attend postsecondary institutions that prioritize their social, emotional and physical development and well-being?

Postsecondary Completion Playbook

Supported by the Gates Foundation, this playbook equips communities with tools, strategies and data to improve postsecondary completion rates.

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Essential Questions for Postsecondary Completion

Overview

Postsecondary Completion

1. To what extent are students completing their chosen postsecondary pathway, earning degrees and/or credentials of value?

2. Are students completing credentials of value after high school that set them up for success in the workforce?

3. Are students attending institutions with well-designed programs that help them efficiently move towards degree completion?

Postsecondary persistence

4. Are students experiencing sufficient early momentum in postsecondary education to be on track for on-time completion?

5. Do students have access to adequate support to enable them to succeed academically and in the workforce?

6. Are students attending institutions offering quality pathways that lead to employment in quality jobs?

7. Do students attend institutions that provide adequate financial aid and that are adequately funded to offer a quality educational experience?

Support networks that build social capital

8. Do students have strong, supportive relationships with professors, mentors and other influential adults?

9. Do students have access to paid, relevant internships, work-study programs, apprenticeship programs or other work-based learning opportunities?

10. Do students have effective, representative college and work-based learning educators?

Experiences and neighborhood conditions

11. Do families live in well-resourced neighborhoods?

12. Do families with children have access to public support (i.e., health care access, nutrition programs, economic support, etc.)?

Positive, supportive environments

13. Do students attend postsecondary institutions and programs with safe and inclusive environments?

14. Do students attend postsecondary institutions that prioritize their social, emotional and physical development and well-being?

Postsecondary Completion Playbook

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Overview

Postsecondary Completion

1. To what extent are students completing their chosen postsecondary pathway, earning degrees and/or credentials of value?

2. Are students completing credentials of value after high school that set them up for success in the workforce?

3. Are students attending institutions with well-designed programs that help them efficiently move towards degree completion?

Postsecondary persistence

4. Are students experiencing sufficient early momentum in postsecondary education to be on track for on-time completion?

5. Do students have access to adequate support to enable them to succeed academically and in the workforce?

6. Are students attending institutions offering quality pathways that lead to employment in quality jobs?

7. Do students attend institutions that provide adequate financial aid and that are adequately funded to offer a quality educational experience?

Support networks that build social capital

8. Do students have strong, supportive relationships with professors, mentors and other influential adults?

9. Do students have access to paid, relevant internships, work-study programs, apprenticeship programs or other work-based learning opportunities?

10. Do students have effective, representative college and work-based learning educators?

Experiences and neighborhood conditions

11. Do families live in well-resourced neighborhoods?

12. Do families with children have access to public support (i.e., health care access, nutrition programs, economic support, etc.)?

Positive, supportive environments

13. Do students attend postsecondary institutions and programs with safe and inclusive environments?

14. Do students attend postsecondary institutions that prioritize their social, emotional and physical development and well-being?

Postsecondary Completion Playbook

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