Vision 2020: Creating Opportunity for America's Next Generation

To fix the leaks in the education and skills pipeline requires the nation to ensure that all young people graduate high school ready for college. Going further, reaching this goal requires increasing the numbers of young people and adults who earn post secondary credentials. And we need to create workforce solutions that expand career advancement opportunities for low-skilled, entry-level workers.

The world's changing economy and America's changing demographics remind us how important it is to provide every student and working adult with the knowledge and skills to succeed. It is a matter of both economic competitiveness and equity. In a recent report, Jobs for the Future (JFF) details strategies for meeting their vision and the nation's of "doubling the numbers" by 2020. 

Goal 1: College Ready: Through early college and other college-connected school designs, all high school students graduate ready for higher education.

Early college students graduate high school at rates far above the national average. In 2008, the four-year graduation rate (using the federal definition) at early college high schools was 92 percent. That is about 20 percentage points higher than the national graduation rate.

Early college graduates are also more likely than their peers to go to college. In 2009, 22 percent of early college graduates simultaneously obtained a high school diploma and an Associate's degree, and 86 percent of early college graduates went on to post secondary education the next fall. By contrast, only about two-thirds of all U.S. high school graduates immediately enroll in college, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This comparison is particularly striking, given the high percentage of early college students who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in college, including students of color and from low-income families.

Goal 2: College Success: Through focusing higher education on both college access and success, more young people and adults earn post secondary credentials.

Achieving the Dream, designed by Lumina Foundation for Education and eight national partners, aims at success as well as access. Its goal is to see that more community college students complete courses and earn certificates and degrees or transfer to four-year colleges. Moreover, Achieving the Dream aims to influence state and national policy to increase student success both within and far beyond its 130 participating colleges in 24 states. A guiding policy framework, co-created by JFF and 16 states, specifies five high-leverage areas: a public commitment to student success; the use of data to improve student outcomes; streamlined student assessment and placement; incentives to promote student persistence and completion; and easier student transitions across education systems.

In each state, a lead organization manages the policy efforts, with strategic support and technical assistance from JFF in setting goals, developing work plans, and implementing change. These organizations form a powerful national network, committed to defining a common state policy agenda and improving each state's capacity to collect and use student achievement data as the basis for effective policy making.

In fact, many states have used the Achieving the Dream framework to "audit" their community college policies. Virginia even set up a state task force to highlight priority changes based on evaluating its manual for community colleges line by line.

Goal 3: Career Advancement: Through education and business partnerships that strengthen local and state economies, low-skilled adults advance into family-sustaining careers.

Strengthen networks of workforce partnerships and regional funding collaboratives that promote systemic changes to help low-skilled workers succeed in education and careers. By bringing together all the stakeholders in a highly trained workforce, local partnerships can ensure that more low-skilled, low-wage workers move into family-sustaining careers. As the National Program Office for Jobs to Careers, JFF helps 17 local partnerships of employers, educational institutions, and other organizations to create advancement opportunities for frontline workers in health care.

Goal 4: Policy Solutions: Through state and federal advocacy, public policies accelerate educational and economic advancement.

Advocate for state and federal education and workforce development policy to support the advancement of underrepresented students and low-income workers. Build state and local collaborative relationships that can influence federal education and workforce policies and provide support for proven solutions.

Source: Jobs for the Future, 7/1/10