District, state, and federal strategies to close the aspirations-attainment gap: linked K-16 data systems, educator capacity for college advising, and strong signals about college requirements¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 qualitative), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The report concludes with three strategies for policymakers to help close the gap between students' college aspirations and their attainment. First, efforts to increase college attainment rest on data systems that link high school to college outcomes, enabling accountability and tracking over time. Second, improving college readiness and access requires supporting and building the capacity of high school educators to provide students the skills and guidance they need. Third, governments must "develop policies that send strong signals and provide incentives to students and schools about what is required to gain access to and succeed in college."

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Data systems that link high school to college outcomes, such as National Student Clearinghouse tracking of enrollment and degree completion

Constraints¶

• The report does not address financial explanations, which it treats as largely beyond the realm of high school policy, though it notes promoting understanding of the financial aid process is a critical strategy component

Target Learners¶

• low-income, minority, and first-generation college students in urban districts

Target Learning Goals¶

• college access, application, enrollment, and degree attainment

Claims¶

• Low ACT scores and confusion about financial aid led a hardworking, college-aspiring student to decide not to attend college at all [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Use disaggregated attainment data with an aspiration benchmark to identify where students face barriers and hold institutions responsible for change
• Support college transitions by addressing college choice, institutional fit, and college support — not student preparation alone

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Jenny Nagaoka, Melissa Roderick, and Vanessa Coca. (2008). Barriers to College Attainment: Lessons from Chicago. The Consortium on Chicago School Research at The University of Chicago / Center for American Progress. https://consortium.uchicago.edu/publications/barriers-college-attainment-lessons-chicago