College and Career Readiness Research that Improves Access
The Center for Economic Mobility conducts rigorous, multi-state research and evaluation to identify and scale effective strategies that expand equitable access to college and career readiness opportunities. Our work spans dual enrollment programs, advanced coursework access, career technical education pathways, and postsecondary transitions—ensuring all students can pursue these pathways during their middle and high school years.
The Challenge
Despite nationwide expansion of college and career readiness programs, profound equity gaps persist. Rural, low-income, and minority students remain significantly underrepresented in advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and high-quality career pathways—limiting their postsecondary success and long-term economic prospects.
Educational systems urgently need answers to critical questions:
- Which policies and practices effectively increase equitable access to college-level coursework?
- How can schools remove systemic barriers preventing student participation in career pathways?
- What support structures enable diverse students to succeed in rigorous programs?
- How should K-12, postsecondary, and workforce systems align for seamless transitions?
- What cost-effective strategies can scale quality programs across varied contexts?
How We’re Taking Action
The Center for Economic Mobility partners with states, community college systems, and districts to conduct research and evaluation projects that generate actionable insights for expanding college and career readiness opportunities nationwide.
Florida Advanced Coursework Research and Evaluation
Through our evaluation of the Impact Florida Opportunity Cadre initiative and Helios Foundation-funded research on AP and dual enrollment access, we’re identifying replicable strategies, such as using data to identify student potential and conducting targeted outreach with trusted adults, that help districts close equity gaps in advanced coursework participation. Our mixed-methods approach combines statewide data analysis with on-the-ground implementation research to understand both what works and how to scale success. These studies illuminate critical connections between access and achievement in AP and dual enrollment while documenting practical strategies for program expansion.
California Dual Enrollment Research
Funded by the Dual Enrollment Research Fund, we’re examining how students’ prior academic trajectories influence their course-taking patterns and performance in dual enrollment and advanced coursework across California districts. Our in-depth case studies spotlight districts that have achieved equitable dual enrollment participation across diverse student populations—documenting the specific policies, practices, and support structures that enable them to expand access while maintaining high standards. We examine how districts identify students who could benefit from dual enrollment beyond traditional criteria, structure comprehensive support systems, and coordinate seamlessly between high schools and community colleges. For example, our Oakland case study examines how placing K-12 teachers directly in dual enrollment classrooms taught by community college professors creates the scaffolding that allows districts to expand access beyond traditionally ‘college-ready’ students. The embedded teacher helps students succeed while building their independence and confidence in college-level coursework.
Pinellas County Elevating Excellence Evaluation
We conducted a comprehensive multi-year evaluation of the Elevating Excellence (EE) program in Pinellas County Schools—a districtwide college preparatory initiative designed to help high-achieving, low-income students maximize their access to university education. Through partnership with the Pinellas Education Foundation, EE provided integrated support across six critical areas: pathway course progression, peer collaboration experiences, parent and student engagement, college entrance test preparation, academic counseling and targeted support, and college and scholarship planning. Our mixed-methods evaluation examined both implementation and impact, using primary and secondary data collection to address four core goals: assessing the effectiveness of College and Career Centers, understanding staff experiences supporting program delivery, capturing student experiences and outcomes, and identifying program strengths, challenges, and opportunities for evolution. We tracked how this comprehensive model translated into measurable outcomes including advanced coursework participation, college application patterns, scholarship attainment, and ultimately college enrollment and persistence for students who had historically faced barriers to university access.
Nebraska Middle School CTE Landscape Study
Our statewide analysis examined middle school career technical education programming across Nebraska’s diverse educational landscape. We surveyed districts, analyzed enrollment data, and mapped connections between middle school career exploration and subsequent high school CTE pathway participation. Our mixed-methods approach revealed that effective middle school programs integrate hands-on learning, authentic industry partnerships, and academic content connections while remaining developmentally appropriate. We identified alignment opportunities between existing programs and Nebraska’s priority industry sectors, demonstrating how early career exposure creates sustained pathway engagement.
Multi-State Pathway Development
We partner with districts across multiple states to create data dashboards and tools that strengthen connections between K-12, postsecondary, and workforce systems—including regional collaboratives in California and data infrastructure in Utah. Our California Master Plan for Career Education work engaged hundreds of stakeholders statewide to develop coordinated strategies for building equitable career pathways. We’ve also supported implementation of California’s Cradle-to-Career Data System, which provides disaggregated college and career outcome dashboards while reducing administrative barriers for students navigating transitions.