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.
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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Sample Material
Paying and Saving for College
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assist with College Entry > See How It Works
This handout, created for the University of California Early Academic Outreach Program, explains options for paying for college to students and their families. The handout includes definitions of...
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Sample Material
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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Sample Material
Data Collection and Goal-Setting Tool
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assess and Intervene > See How It Works, Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assist with College Entry > See How It Works, Increasing Postsecondary Access > States and Districts
This tool is used by Chicago school district administrators to help schools set goals and collect data to support college access. Hear more about how Chicago prepares their students for college in...
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Sample Material
Next Step Plans
Increasing Postsecondary Access > States and Districts
Beginning in middle school, Albuquerque Public Schools students complete a Next Step Plan which details their academic plans and postsecondary goals. Offered in both English and Spanish, these...
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Sample Material
Summer 2009: Making Your Summer Count
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assist with College Entry > See How It Works
This document is completed by students at the end of their junior year to help them develop their summer plans in preparation for applying for colleges. View Using Checkpoints to Guide Students...
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Sample Material
Advisory FAQs and Rubrics
Increasing Postsecondary Access > States and Districts
Albuquerque Public Schools developed these documents to help communicate the purpose and structure of the Student Advisory Program to students and parents. The FAQs provide guidance to commonly...
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Sample Material
College Seminar Class Syllabus
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assist with College Entry > See How It Works
Seniors at Crossland High School are required to participate in a college seminar course. This syllabus outlines the course requirements and provides a timeline of the topics and major deadlines....
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Sample Material
College Preparation Checklist
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assist with College Entry > See How It Works
Beginning in ninth grade, counselors give this checklist to all students that outlines steps to be ready to enter college. The video Walking Students Through the Application Process describes how...
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Sample Material
Parent Flyers: College Application Process
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assist with College Entry > See How It Works
This collection of flyers and announcements is disseminated to notify parents of upcoming workshops and events and to help them understand the college application and financial aid processes. View...
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Sample Material
College Admissions Flow Chart
Increasing Postsecondary Access > Assist with College Entry > See How It Works
This flow chart is used in documenting and managing the college admissions process. It shows the steps in a decision-tree format. This diagram can give a step-by-step solution to a given problem....
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Sample Material
Student Advisory Surveys
Increasing Postsecondary Access > States and Districts
Faculty in Albuquerque Public Schools collect student responses to these surveys annually to help tailor their support for students as part of the Student Advisory Program. The findings may also be...
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