Innovation with stimulus funds in support of students postsecondary pathways

Welcome to the Invest Forward Spotlight Library. Here you will find written and video examples highlighting innovative work of states and districts as they use their federal stimulus funds to support students’ postsecondary pathways.

We were pleased to partner with Chiefs for Change in building this spotlight library and to feature their members’ work in many of the snapshots. In addition to the examples below, be sure to check out our convening spotlight page to see more strategies in action as featured at the July 2022 Invest Forward convening.

If you know of another great example that we should feature, please let us know.

Snapshots

Chicago Public Schools - Postsecondary Education - Invest Forward

Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools has leveraged federal stimulus money from the American Rescue Plan to strengthen existing—and build new—pathways to postsecondary success for their students.

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Dallas Independent School District - Postsecondary Education - Invest Forward

Dallas Independent School District

Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) is a national leader in providing high school students with college opportunities.

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District of Columbia Public Schools - Postsecondary Education - Invest Forward

District of Columbia Public Schools

District of Columbia Public Schools is working to implement a thoughtful and multi-faceted student support strategy.

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Denver Public Schools - Postsecondary Education - Invest Forward

Denver Public Schools

Denver Public Schools is investing $23 million in ARP funds to get students back on track for success in college and careers.

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Guilford County Schools - Postsecondary Education - Invest Forward

Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools is investing in a diverse set of supports to build more robust postsecondary pathways for its students.

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Phoenix Union High School District - Post Secondary Education - Invest Forward

Phoenix Union High School District

Phoenix Union High School District has made a commitment to ensure that students are College, Career and Life Ready Graduates.

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Michigan Schools - Postsecondary Education - Invest Forward

Michigan

A Michigan state effort to build more work-based learning experiences for students illustrates how state legislators can play a role in supporting postsecondary pathways.

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Illinois

The Illinois State Board of Education used data to identify districts and schools where existing initiatives were not helping students successfully navigate postsecondary pathways—particularly those with pronounced equity gaps.

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Fulton County Schools (GA)

Fulton County Schools’ (FCS) Promise Career Institute (PCI) is a different path to high school graduation where students graduate with a high school diploma and two technical college certificates.

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The Tech Council of Delaware

The Tech Council of Delaware created the Yes, We Tech! paid summer internship program to provide workplace readiness and career experiences to Delaware high school students.

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Video Spotlights

Dr. Sonja Santelises - Baltimore Public Schools - Invest Forward

Baltimore's Focus on Advanced Coursework

Tracking Student Success - Postsecondary Education - Invest Forward

Tracking Student Success Beyond High School Graduation

Dr. Katie Jenner - Indiana's Use of ARP Funds - Invest Forward

Indiana's Strategic Use of ARP Funds for Postsecondary Pathways

Dr. Katie Jenner - Postsecondary Education - Invest Forward

Indiana's Crossing the Finish Line Initiative

Colorado's Investment in Rural Community Pathways

Making Rural Pathway Programs Sustainable

Expanding Career Exploration with ESSER

Key Considerations to Expand Students' Options

Prioritizing Postsecondary Pathways

For more great ideas about districts who are using ARP funds to support postsecondary pathways, visit our Resource Library.

We are trying to track college academic performance back to what we need to do in high school.

— District Leader

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