PATHWAYS TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY Terry Grobe Jobs for the Future | November 16, 2015 OPPORTUNITY WORKS: HOW BACK ON TRACK PATHWAYS CAN REENGAGE STUDENTS

ABOUT JFF Our Mission JFF works to ensure that all young people and workers have the skills and credentials needed to succeed in our economy. Our Vision The promise of education and economic mobility in America is achieved for everyone.

HOW WE WORK DEVELOP EVIDENCE- BASED INNOVATIONS Develop promising models Pilot, test, evaluate, and continuously improve Codify strongest strategies BUILD FIELD CAPACITY FOR SCALE Assist with implementation Create products and tools Accelerate knowledge dissemination Use data to inform decision making ADVOCATE FOR AND INFLUENCE POLICY Promote policies to drive adoption of solutions Elevate visibility of solutions Remove policy barriers Increase incentives for adoption

A BRIEF HISTORY >JFF has a 12+ year history of working on issues related to out-of-school youth >Our Back on Track model was developed to guide schools and community-based programs focused on off-track and out- of-school youth >We focus on two populations: –those without a high school credential, and those with a high school credential who are out-of-school/out- of-work Work has resulted in broader perceptive on postsecondary options and a focus on blending work and learning options

BACK ON TRACK MODEL Enriched Preparation Integrates high-quality college/career- ready instruction with strong academic and social supports Postsecondary Bridging Builds college/career-ready skills and provides informed transition counseling First Year Support and Beyond Offers appropriate supports to ensure postsecondary persistence and career success

EXAMPLES OF JFF’S IMPACT Back on Track Outcomes >Students in the strongest Back on Track schools are graduating at up to double and triple the rates of off-track students in regular high schools >The College, Career, and Technology Academy in Texas has graduated over 1,000 former dropouts in , the majority with some college credit; other schools in the school’s network are achieving similar outcomes >Young people participating in the Postsecondary Success Initiative are graduating from high school, enrolling in postsecondary education, and persisting in the first year at two to three times the rate of their peers.

SPREAD OF THE BACK ON TRACK MODEL >Adopted by national networks in the Gates Foundation’s Postsecondary Success Initiative: YouthBuild USA, National Youth Employment Coalition, The Corps Network >Incorporated into school district expectations for alternative schools: Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver with focus on differentiating designs based on segmenting BOT populations >Informed practices in schools/programs in NYC, South Texas, Mesa, AZ, Portland, OR, and other sites >Adopted by Aspen Institute Opportunity Youth Incentive Fund as model for pathways to postsecondary in 21 communities >Basis for Opportunity Works, the JFF/Aspen Social Innovation Fund Initiative

BACK ON TRACK SITE MAP

OFF-TRACK/OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH: SAMPLE PROGRAMMING

WHAT POLICIES CONSTRAIN GROWTH OF BOT DESIGNS >Accountability formulas that focus on 4 year ‘on-time’ grad rates >Accountability formulas that don’t reward reengagement or give credit for growth rates >Inflexible seat-time requirements >Very limited ‘money follows student’ policies

HELPFUL POLICIES ARE EXPANDING

QUESTIONS/REFLECTIONS >Are you connected with BOT programs in your locality? >What are the main challenges of growing and sustaining this programming? >What other policies offer opportunities to grow this work? >What are other considerations in scaling these designs? >What is most challenging in serving off-track youth successfully?

BACK ON TRACK RESOURCES

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