Equipping district leaders to invest in pathways to postsecondary and career success

High-quality postsecondary education and training is the ticket to long-term opportunity. Unfortunately, the pandemic took a huge toll on our education systems, and set us back as a country on our quest to level the playing field for low-income and students of color. Postsecondary education became even more essential at the same time that fewer students—especially Black, Hispanic, and low-income students—persevered to pursue it.

With the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the investment of $123 billion in K-12 education, the federal government made one of the most dramatic attempts of our lifetimes to give communities the tools to rebuild.

How can we invest forward?

Four key investment priorities

As they plan for how to spend these funds, district and state leaders should Invest Forward by prioritizing support for students’ pathways to postsecondary and career success. Every community should invest to help students:

Build college and career momentum early in high school

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Investment Strategies - Principles - Acquire Knowledge

Acquire knowledge, experiences, and relationships necessary for career succes

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Investment Strategies - Earn College Credit - Principles

Earn college credit and/or stackable credentials before graduation

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Investment Strategies - Principles - Gain Credentials

Directly enroll in postsecondary education or training programs that lead to credentials with labor market value

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As your district plans for investment of stimulus funds, support for high-quality postsecondary pathways should be a top priority. To learn more about potential investment strategies, visit our Strategies page.

I wish we had more clarity on all the options that are available. It’s very broad and hard to think about. It’s overwhelming.

— High School Student

Spotlight:
Dallas Independent School District

Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) is a national leader in providing high school students with college opportunities. Read the Spotlight and check out the full Spotlight library.

Resources

Learn more about how to maximize the effectiveness of your stimulus investments with resources from Invest Forward and our expert collaborating organizations from across the country. View all Resources.


How can we make the most of the American Rescue Plan resources?


Why invest in postsecondary pathways?


NCAN’S Roundup of COVID-19 Resources

Helpful information you’ll find on this site

This site is intended to empower district and state leaders with concrete strategies and guidance for using their American Rescue Plan funds to make impactful investments in postsecondary pathways. Here’s what you’ll find on this website:

American Rescue Plan Overview Core Investment Principles Pathways Investment Strategies State & District Plans

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