Dive Brief:
- A new strategy for adult basic education has found success at community colleges in four states, according to a review of the program by the Urban Institute.
- In year two of the Jobs for the Future initiative, Accelerating Opportunity has gained popularity among faculty and students, integrated instruction and support services, and fostered partnerships between community colleges and business partners, JFF reports.
- The report found colleges allocated fewer resources to the programs in the second year, even while they were reaching more students and increasing outcomes.
Dive Insight:
The Accelerating Opportunity Initiative has reached thousands of students and has the potential to reach thousands more as it expands within the four states involved in the program now and, ultimately, beyond them. The initiative is a powerful collaboration among faculty across disciplines, support personnel, and local businesses. The key to the program is aligning GED programs with remedial courses and community college degree tracks to facilitate a return to school for low-income adults. By incorporating remedial support in credit-bearing courses, students remain engaged and on track, earning degrees that will ultimately benefit the local economy. Find the full report for year two here.