Postsecondary Redesign

Access to affordable, high-quality postsecondary education and training are critical to advancing economic opportunity and quality of life for all. Adults without an associate degree earn incomes of up to 18 percent less than those who earned this degree. The economic pay off for workers with a short-term credential without a degree is also considerable (Ma and Pender, 2023). Expanding upskilling opportunities for the American workforce has the potential to drive regional and national economic health and competitiveness. Despite these factors, rates of college enrollment and persistence of adult learners are low.

Most colleges and universities (or other higher education institutions) were originally designed for students between the ages of 18-22, coming directly from high school, financially dependent on their parents, and enrolled in college full- time, without family, work, and/or financial obligations to juggle. This profile does not reflect the reality of many students, especially those in community colleges. 

In response, NCTN works with postsecondary institutions to design programs for those students, an increasing majority, especially in community colleges, who are working adults (including older youth), are enrolled part-time in school, are first in their family to attend postsecondary education, or are parents.

Expertise and Impact 

College Transition Program Model Development

NCTN led the development of transition to college programs in adult education through a 10-year demonstration project. The ABE-to-College project, the first of its kind, launched the dissemination of strategies, best practices, and policies for bridging the gap between adult and literacy instruction, attainment of high school equivalency and English language skills, and college level coursework. 

As a result, adult education as a critical building block to further education and training, rather than the culmination point, is now accepted practice and codified in policy, such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). 

Transforming Data into Action for Success

NCTN assists postsecondary institutions to collect and use data strategically and holistically to understand and address outcomes gaps for students who are parents or first in their family. We help design sustainable, institutional and programmatic practices to address gaps and increase opportunities.

Dual Enrollment for Adults

NCTN provides technical assistance to postsecondary institutions and state systems to scale and sustain dual enrollment for adult learners, leveraging the Ability to Benefit provision of the Higher Education Act. Our work brings key stakeholders into dialogue and collaboration to create the policies and practices necessary to support and sustain adult dual enrollment.

Accelerated Pathways

NCTN guides the design and implementation of accelerated career pathway programs, such as integrated education and training (IET). These innovative models enable adults to gain the academic, foundational, and technical training skills needed to accelerate learning, employment, and career advancement, we provide tools and resources and facilitate essential collaboration across adult education, workforce development, postsecondary education, and business and industry to ensure that the pathways align with local employment opportunities.