Mapping the Ecosystem of Alternative Postsecondary Education Providers

Alternative providers are becoming a significant—if not yet indispensable—part of the U.S. higher education ecosystem. It’s essential to establish a taxonomy that helps colleges and universities make informed choices about how to work with these providers, writes Louis Soares.

Closing Persistence Gaps for Part-time Students

Students aged 25 and above or who identify as Black, Indigenous, or Latino are more likely to pursue college part-time and are disproportionally affected by inequitable institutional policies. In its new report on closing persistence gaps, Complete College America highlights the following statistics:

Working Learners and Work Colleges: Innovating at the Intersection of Education and Life

For the 72 million Americans in the labor force who lack a postsecondary credential, learning at the intersection of education, work, and life responsibilities holds the key to a high-wage job in the global knowledge and technology economy. Louis Soares and Vickie Choitz look at how “work colleges” can serve as a model for colleges and universities considering how to better support these learners.

Designing Equity-Minded Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Community College Students

Community college students often find themselves excluded from participating in work-based learning opportunities, which can be crucial for future employability. In a new report, New America showcases how five community colleges center equity in redesigning WBL to be more accessible and work for all students.

How Higher Education Institutions Can Address the Needs of Adult Learners

A recent report offers insights about challenges faced by adult learners and how postsecondary institutions can address them.

How Are Universities Responding to the Changing U.S. Workforce?

A recent report from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities examines the importance of innovative partnerships and new approaches to education—opening the door for upward social mobility, increased income, and opportunities for advancement in the workforce for all students.

New Resource Aims to Improve Student Success, Job Outlook for Post-Traditional Learners

A new resource from the Education Strategy Group (ESG) seeks to equip institution and state leaders to better support post-traditional students as competing challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and labor market demands, impact adult-learner success.

Virtual Learning Can Be a Gateway to Increasing Equity in Higher Education

Much remains uncertain about what the fall 2021 semester will bring, but it’s increasingly obvious that expanded online offerings will be a welcome development—both now and for many years to come. Read more from Joseph I. Castro, chancellor of The California State University.

Bringing Jobs and Workers Together in the New Skills Economy

Bridging the disconnect between learners and employers requires a new approach to help open opportunities for people who have historically been underserved by the current system. Can blockchain help fill these gaps?

New Data Details COVID-19 Transfer Trends

The National Student Clearinghouse released the third report in its COVID-19 series on student transfer patterns.

Changes in Undergraduate Earners During COVID-19

A recent report from the National Clearinghouse Research Center highlighted the current trends for undergraduate degree earners across higher education sectors.

Higher Education Will Be Forced to Do This Recession Differently, and That’s a Good Thing

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect a surge in demand for higher education that will disproportionately come from post-traditional students. To respond, colleges and universities must swiftly adapt by broadening their view of learning.