Colorado’s future workforce and economy rely on ensuring every student can access high-quality educational pathways leading to postsecondary success and meaningful careers. However, too many students, particularly those from historically underserved communities, face significant barriers to accessing these opportunities. Addressing these challenges requires innovative approaches to bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary success.
The On-Ramps to Postsecondary Transitions (OPT) project is a critical effort to reimagine and improve how students navigate college and career readiness, empowering schools and communities to create systems that support all learners. By focusing on integrated, student-centered strategies, OPT has the potential to transform outcomes for Colorado students and serve as a model for scalable, equitable education innovation.
OPT is an innovative research model focused on improving student transitions and outcomes from high school to postsecondary education and the workforce. It aims to do so by creating a connected and streamlined system for college and career readiness. A collaborative project funded by the US Department of Education and supported by Colorado Succeeds, Jobs for the Future (JFF), and NORC at the University of Chicago, thirteen school districts, representing 19 diverse high schools across the state, are participating in the project.
The program seeks to demonstrate the value of an integrated support system for high school students through a cohesive set of experiences and supports for college and career readiness, work-based learning, and concurrent enrollment. Expected outcomes include improvements in academic achievement, student engagement, high school graduation rates, and successful postsecondary transitions for students who typically face barriers to accessing these opportunities. This is a three-year program that began this school year, and that will follow this year’s cohort of 9th-grade students through 11th grade.
High schools started by creating or enhancing a College and Career Navigation Course (CCNC) for all or some of their 9th graders. In the two upcoming years, schools will scale their work-based learning and concurrent enrollment opportunities.
To support schools with their goals, this fall, Colorado Succeeds created internal strategy supports, or “asset maps,” highlighting key data, recommendations to improve strategies, potential partnerships, and examples of other programs and resources that may assist in strengthening their overall career-connected learning approach.
Recommendations
Colorado Succeeds compiled information for these asset maps through participant and community stakeholder interviews, labor market information data sets, accessing other available public data on high school and postsecondary programming, and desk research. Through the process of creating thirteen district- and county-based asset maps, several key recommendations rose to the top that cut across all of them.
Below, the top insights to support local and state leaders in building, enhancing, or better integrating their postsecondary and workforce readiness strategies:
Enhancing Data Systems for Equity and Outcomes
Gaps in postsecondary and workforce programming and outcomes for many types of student groups highlight the need for improved data systems locally and statewide. Better alignment of data across state agencies through the development of a robust longitudinal data system will empower schools and districts to make informed decisions and address equity gaps effectively. This will allow schools to select the right programs that have the best outcomes and to know the long-term outcomes of their programs to make sure students are being served equitably. In the short term, local leaders should ensure they are collecting and regularly evaluating outcomes data of their program offerings and seeking technical assistance for improved data collection. Read more in our recent paper, Improving Data to Improve Pathways, Workforce Training, & Economic Mobility.
Expanding Career Pathways & Work-Based Learning
Transportation challenges, inconsistent program quality, scheduling, and a lack of industry engagement hinder career pathways and work-based learning (WBL) opportunities. Schools and districts need to welcome and embrace increased collaboration from higher education and industry, better labor market alignment, and innovative approaches to engage businesses and scale high-quality WBL experiences that meet regional economic needs. Resource allocation to the relationship management and systems needed to engage partners is critical to ensuring sustainability.
Building Comprehensive Student Support Systems
Students require holistic support to overcome barriers such as trauma, housing instability, and food insecurity. Collaborating with community-based organizations and fostering partnerships through a Continuum of Comprehensive Services (CCS) can provide the academic and socio-emotional resources students need to thrive. Expanding partnerships with four-year universities and addressing workforce gaps in critical industries, such as healthcare and education, are also vital.
Improving Communication with Students & Families
Clear, accessible communication about program offerings, concurrent enrollment, and pathway opportunities is essential to help students and families understand and maximize these opportunities to gain valuable skills and credentials while still in high school. Streamlined messaging, along with guidance on aligning concurrent enrollment credits with degree goals, can bridge the information gap and support successful postsecondary transitions.
Maximizing Funding Efficiency and Accessibility
Districts face challenges in blending funding streams, understanding state funding options, and sustaining programs with existing resources. Collaboration between schools, districts, and higher education institutions to better leverage shared resources and programming, along with access to centralized funding information and seed funding, can help address these barriers and ensure the sustainability of postsecondary programming.
As OPT enters its next phase, Colorado Succeeds will continue collaborating with OPT participants, Jobs for the Future (JFF), and NORC to ensure that students and schools have the resources and opportunities needed for success. This effort includes offering technical assistance and coaching to support key recommendations, such as creating high-quality action plans, establishing a continuum of services to reengage disengaged students, and facilitating cross-sector stakeholder conversations to boost local awareness and engagement.