MOCAN – Missouri College & Career Attainment Network

Increasing equity in college and career for Missouri students

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Supporting Adult Learners

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Missouri has set an ambitious goal for 60% of adults ages 25 to 64 to attain a certificate or degree beyond a high school diploma by 2030. Missouri currently stands at just over 50%. For Black, Hispanic and rural students, the gaps are far wider. Only 31.9% of Black adults have earned a degree. The percentage is 35% of Hispanic adults and just 30.8% for those living in rural communities.

To reach 60% will take bold action – and a focus on adult learners. This includes adults who have some college credit, those who seek to upskill, or those looking to enroll in postsecondary education for the first time.

MOCAN is pleased to partner with the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development, Education Strategy Group, and colleagues across the state who are part of the Adult Learner Network to develop a strategic plan to focus our efforts to support adult learners. Among the strategies: targeted financial aid, navigation supports, providing credit for prior learning, and building upon Missouri’s strong track record of apprenticeship.

Read the Report:

Executive Summary

Final Report

Thanks to everyone who helped to create the plan, Sixty for All: A Roadmap to Equitable Postsecondary Attainment for Adult Missourians, including Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation and the Lumina Foundation who provided support to make it possible.

Use This High School Graduation To-Do List to Keep Supporting Students

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Caroline Doglio, National College Attainment Network

As the school year comes to a close, seniors will be out of the door and moving onto their next step. Each year, an estimated 10-40% of high school seniors with every intention of enrolling in college do not actually matriculate. While NCAN has plenty of resources that can help perform early intervention to prevent summer melt, we also know that every effort counts.

With that in mind, there are a few final ways that districts, schools, and college access organizations can best support their students during this life transition.

Senior Exit Survey

The first step to support seniors is by performing a senior exit survey. This is a simple and effective way to collect the most up-to-date contact information and a student’s next steps in order to tailor support throughout the summer.

Harvard’s Center for Education Policy Research created a Summer Melt Handbook that includes a guide for what questions to include in a senior exit survey. They suggest administering the survey as close to graduation as possible in order to get the most accurate information.

While it is important to make sure that the senior exit survey fits the needs of your students, there is likely no need to create an entirely new senior exit survey. Consider adapting exit surveys from previous years or using an existing template.

For exit survey inspiration, visit the NCAN guide to immediate next steps for graduating seniors or see the examples below.

It’s best to administer the survey electronically to make the most of the results immediately. Once you identify high-attendance institutions to which your students intend to matriculate, you could potentially make a transition cheat sheet.

Transition Cheat Sheets

Transition cheat sheets are a quick and easy way to ensure students have accurate information about the next steps at highly attended colleges. The simple one-pager should be full of information on upcoming tasks, deadlines, contact information, and anything else that could help a student throughout the transition.

NCAN member Puget Sound College and Career Network has created these same cheat sheets for their students, and they serve as a great example. 

All of their checklists are neatly divided into sections on what to do before coming to campus: 

  • Apply
  • Finish the financial aid process
  • Complete testing or send transcripts
  • Register for orientation
  • Register for classes
  • Find transportation
  • Pay tuition
  • Find supports and community

Once all this information is compiled, decide how you want to stay in contact with the students. Many organizations find that text messaging is the most effective way to reach young people.

Reaching Students Over the Summer

Consider using texting to encourage your graduating seniors to take action over the summer. This is an opportunity to inform students of necessary pre-enrollment tasks that they might not be aware of.

As your organization is finalizing your plans to support your seniors, don’t forget to take advantage of the resources that are already available to you. Be sure to check out NCAN’s Summer Melt Toolkit and our K-12 Advising Calendar. 

Career Pathways & Apprenticeship Showcase Saturday, April 22nd in Sikeston!

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Recent and soon-to-be high school graduates, adults looking for new career opportunities, and students in grades 6 through 12 are invited to a FREE Career Pathways & Apprenticeship Showcase event on Saturday, April 22nd from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Sikeston Campus of Southeast Missouri State University, 2401 N. Main Street, Sikeston, Missouri, 63801.

The Career Pathways & Apprenticeship Showcase is a great opportunity for youth and adults to discover a variety of career-connected opportunities for education and training beyond high school.

Regional employers and training programs will be on site with hands-on demonstrations and information about career-oriented employment and training for high school graduates in fields including welding, catering, public safety, manufacturing, and more.

Participation is free and open to the public. Families and school counselors are encouraged to attend with their students.

The Career Pathways & Apprenticeship Showcase is hosted by the Missouri College & Career Attainment Network (MOCAN) in partnership with Southeast Missouri State University – Sikeston Campus, Sikeston Regional Chamber and Area Economic Development Corporation, Sikeston Career & Technology Center, Cape Girardeau Chamber, Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center, Mineral Area College, Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Missouri College Advising Corps, Special School District of St. Louis County, and Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education.

More information can be found at https://mocollegecareer.org/showcase/