Pathways to Prosperity: Postsecondary Access and Success for Colorado's High School Graduates. 2021 Report: Data Through the High School Graduating Class of 2019

For over a year, COVID-19 has disrupted all our lives, including our education system and the future for many Coloradans. Recovery from the pandemic is in sight, but Colorado's industries more than ever will depend upon postsecondary education to help produce the workforce needed in a changed environment and altered economy. It is vital to promote and grow postsecondary attainment and college-going pathways. Colorado's investment in dual and Concurrent Enrollment, career and technical education (CTE) and credential completion in high school means that today more high school students are graduating with the experiences needed to be successful in college and the workforce. The goal is for these same students to seek a postsecondary education so they experience the stability and economic security of a credential. The recommendations in this report focus on the success of students. Specifically, on continuing and growing programs that have proven to have a positive impact on student success as well as eliminating equity gaps, even as they threaten to get worse. This report explores both data trends and policy context related to critical pathways that Colorado's recent high school graduates pursue to a meaningful degree or credential. Specifically, it covers: (1) High school pathways to a postsecondary credential; (2) Postsecondary enrollment pathways; and (3) Pathways to postsecondary success. [For the previous report, "Pathways to Prosperity: Postsecondary Access and Success for Colorado's High School Graduates" (2020), see ED607384.]