Jobs for the Future

Jobs for the Future

Secondary/Postsecondary

With the advent of the information economy, the level and type of skills needed to obtain good quality employment have shifted. Most students need more education, of a different kind, than their parents. Yet, only 63% percent of low income high school graduates enroll in a two- or four-year postsecondary program. Many of those economically disadvantaged students who enter college are academically unprepared, financially unstable, and unfamiliar with college culture—increasing the likelihood they will drop out before completing a degree. Programs that help smooth the transition to postsecondary training and/or employment can help overcome these barriers. Below we profile a nonprofit that blends high school and college, allowing some 80,000 low income students to graduate with at least some college credit.
Courtesy of Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for American Education: Images of Teachers and Students in Action
Courtesy of Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for American Education: Images of Teachers and Students in Action

Secondary/Postsecondary

With the advent of the information economy, the level and type of skills needed to obtain good quality employment have shifted. Most students need more education, of a different kind, than their parents. Yet, only 63% percent of low income high school graduates enroll in a two- or four-year postsecondary program. Many of those economically disadvantaged students who enter college are academically unprepared, financially unstable, and unfamiliar with college culture—increasing the likelihood they will drop out before completing a degree. Programs that help smooth the transition to postsecondary training and/or employment can help overcome these barriers. Below we profile a nonprofit that blends high school and college, allowing some 80,000 low income students to graduate with at least some college credit.

What it does

Jobs for the Future’s Early College High School initiative works to integrate rigorous, credit-bearing college courses into high school curricula through partnerships among colleges, districts, and high schools. Students in more than 300 Early College High Schools in 31 states can earn up to an Associate’s Degree for free, reducing the financial burden of college and helping to establish a college-going culture in high school.

While schools and colleges are the primary implementers, JFF delivers the technical assistance and instructional coaching to get the model up and running. JFF also provides assistance to schools and colleges on how to overcome practical hurdles such as hiring and salary structure for dual-certified teachers, certifications to teach college-level courses, and data- and cost-sharing between districts and colleges.

How effective is it

A North Carolina study of JFF Early College High Schools found that early college students were significantly more likely to both enroll in college (81% vs. 72%) and earn a degree (25% vs. 5%) than comparison students within four years of high school graduation. The evaluation for the JFF-assisted scale-up of the Early College High School model in Denver and South Texas is still ongoing, but preliminary results look similarly promising.

Implementing this program costs a school district an additional $482 to $534 per student. This covers training, data-sharing systems, and other consultation and support for each student who participates in the program. Using these program costs and JFF’s success rates, CHIP estimates that it costs approximately $2,400 to $2,600 for an additional student to gain a college degree (AA or BA) that otherwise wouldn’t. Since earning an AA degree adds an extra $170,000 in income over a lifetime, this represents a return of about $64 for every $1 invested.

How you can help

You can support JFF’s Early College High School work through financial donations, or in helping to bring the model to a local district as an advocate or community partner. Donors interested in partnering with JFF can contact Associate Vice President Alex Hoffinger at ahoffinger@jff.org. You can find an Early College High School in your area on JFF’s website.

Personalize this project

If your community already has Early College High Schools, you can support them by giving to schools, districts, or colleges directly—or through local education funds or school parent associations. Other organizations that have a track record of helping low income high school students plan for, apply, and complete postsecondary education include College Advising Corps, UAspire, College Possible, and College Summit.