Increasing Postsecondary Access
Explore resources designed to help educators to support students successfully navigate the path to college. 
- View a visual diagram of all five practices
- Watch a topic overview and download planning templates
- Listen to an expert
Explore the subtopics below to learn more about the recommended practices:
- Prepare Students Academically
- Assess and Intervene
- Foster College Aspirations
- Assist with College Entry
To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do.
A College Readiness Framework: A K-16 Continuum of Learning
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Foster College Aspirations > See How It Works
This PowerPoint presentation describes how University Park Campus School prepares students to handle the rigors of college. View A University Partnership That Supports College-Going Aspirations to...
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Planning for a College Trip
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Foster College Aspirations > See How It Works
This collection of materials is used by school staff and students when planning visits to college campuses. Listen to two Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences administrators describe the...
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Scholar's Journey Discussion With PLAN Test Results
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assess and Intervene > See How It Works
During the spring of their sophomore year, students are given this personalized worksheet which captures their results of the PLAN test, the precursor to the ACT. Hear the principal at Chattanooga...
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Assessment Feedback for Students
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assess and Intervene > See How It Works
Kearny staff use these three documents to give students feedback on their performance. Listen to the Kearny principal and a literacy coach describe how they use assessments in A Personalized...
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Gateway Rubric and Summary Sheets
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assess and Intervene > See How It Works
Students at the Dayton Early College Academy matriculate through high school by completing a series of six gateways. Staff use these documents to track and evaluate students' progress on meeting...
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Research Review Assignment
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Prepare Students Academically > See How It Works
As a major component of instruction, teachers at University Park Campus School (UPCS) purposefully create assignments that require students to think critically. The video, Getting Students to Think...
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Using Literature Circles for Reading Comprehension
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Prepare Students Academically > See How It Works
Literature circles help students engage in deep discussions about reading assignments in the classroom. The video, Getting Students to Think for Themselves, describes this and other strategies used...
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One High School's Reading List
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Prepare Students Academically > See How It Works
The development of literacy skills is supported by this challenging and comprehensive literature list. The emphasis on strong literacy skills for promoting student success is explained further in...
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Algebra Investigation
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Prepare Students Academically > See How It Works
This assignment asks students to utilize their own problem solving and logic skills to determine the Pythagorean Theorem using paper cutouts. The video, Preparing Students for Rigorous Work,...
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Middle School Tracking Template
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Prepare Students Academically > See How It Works
This template helps middle school students develop the skills they need to succeed in a rigorous high school curriculum. Watch the video, Preparing Students for Rigorous Work, which explains...
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Individualized Learning Plan
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Prepare Students Academically > See How It Works
This document lists academic requirements for students in each grade and provides a template to create an appropriate four-year course trajectory. In the interview, Assigning Students to the Right...
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Tenth-Grade Course Offerings
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Prepare Students Academically > See How It Works
This document lists courses offered to students at Crossland High School, including classes offered in the core curriculum and in the technical academies. The interview, Assigning Students to the...
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