Promising Practices in Supporting Postsecondary Success in Alternative Education

“During the Community of Practice…the conversation highlighted the importance of making ‘college as part of [high school] community’ to begin to ‘shift the culture and help students recognize that college is part of their lives.’”

In a new Issue Brief, “Exploring Alternative High School and Community College Partnerships,” CLP and Equal Measure examine promising practices in building and sustaining high school and community college partnerships in several alternative school sites across California.

The content of the Brief is based on interviews with alternative high school leaders statewide and the proceedings of a day-long community of practice meeting held in May 2017. Nearly 50 practitioners from California community colleges, high schools, and community-based organizations came together to share emerging practices and exchange implementation ideas about providing student supports and improving transitions to college.

In the community of practice discussion and interviews, promising practices were highlighted in four areas: dual enrollment, instruction and curriculum design, wrap-around and stabilization supports, and career exposure and preparation. To download the brief, please click here.

The Issue Brief was produced by the Career Ladders Project and Equal Measure in partnership with Skyline College and the Career Advancement Academies (CAAs). The CAAs were launched by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office in 2007 and are designed to enable underserved Californians–typically first in their families to attend college, low-income, or from communities of color–to enroll in higher education and adjust to emerging and evolving workforce and industry needs.