College Forward (now College Possible Texas) announced that it has received a $500,000 grant award from Greater Texas Foundation to build replicable models of their highly successful college access and college completion programs. Rural and underserved school districts, postsecondary institutions, and community based organizations across Texas will use these tools to motivate more of their students to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
Only 19% of Texas eighth graders go on to complete higher education, even after 150% of the standard length of time for a degree or credential. Drawing from College Forward’s deep expertise, these models will describe precisely how to motivate students through the critical challenges they face on the path to postsecondary preparation, acceptance, and success. Models will be supported and enhanced by a sophisticated technology platform that predictively alerts program administrators to students who are in danger of falling behind. This initiative will produce a measurable impact on statewide student outcomes as soon as 2017.
“College Forward is committed to ending inequality in higher education outcomes. This project will take a powerful step towards that goal by making our proven methodology available to every Texas student. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the partnership and guidance of Greater Texas Foundation,” says College Forward CEO Lisa Fielder.
For the past 12 years, College Forward has taken an experimental, student-focused approach to addressing persistent problems in student achievement, garnering national acclaim for program outcomes: College Forward students enter higher education at twice the statewide average and earn degrees at more than five-times the rate of their economically disadvantaged peers. This December, College Forward joined hundreds of college presidents and other education leaders from around the country to make collective commitments to solve our nation’s education shortfalls at the White House College Opportunity Day of Action.
Headquartered in Bryan, Texas, Greater Texas Foundation serves the citizens and educational institutions of Texas by supporting initiatives that increase rates of post-secondary enrollment and completion for all Texas students, with a particular focus on students who may encounter barriers to postsecondary success. In addition to grantmaking, Greater Texas Foundation provides strategic scholarships, promotes research, and convenes thought leaders to support efforts to ensure that all Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in, and complete postsecondary education.
