Introduction

Districts that are innovating and leading within the postsecondary space are often asked what sounds to be simple questions: “How can we replicate your work? How can our district have a robust strategy and program like yours? We want to take a data-driven approach to our college and career work; where should we start?”

We set out to find the answers to these questions and to determine if there is a common set of enabling conditions and steps a district can take to create an environment in which school leaders are empowered with the data, the tools, and knowledge to best support their students. Research from the RAND American School Leader Panel included questions about access to postsecondary outcomes and found that: “We know that high schools meaningfully impact students’ transition to and through postsecondary institutions. And, when equipped with the right information and support, high school leaders can take actions that significantly increase their students’ postsecondary success.” But what does it look like to be equipped with the right information? What does it look like when school leaders are empowered to take action? 

As part of this research, district leaders, school leaders, academic scholars and researchers, college access partners, and change management organizations provided insight into their experience working with districts to build a data-driven postsecondary strategy through a series of interviews. (A full list of those who contributed can be found here.) The common set of steps is outlined in this model. The steps ensure a school district gets to the place in which they are setting goals to increase postsecondary enrollment and completion and where they can begin to use a continuous improvement model to assess their strategies to determine where the district needs to expand current initiatives; pivot away from strategies that don’t work; and/or make further investments into staff, resources, or external partners.