Guided Pathways

In the first three sections, we describe essential practices underlying each of these three strategies (outlined in the sidebar to the right). Recognizing that there is still room for even the best current practice to improve, the fourth section of the playbook includes a discussion of “next frontiers” of practice; these are practices that even the high-performing community colleges and universities profiled here have only begun to work on in their continuing efforts to improve outcomes for their students. With that grounding, we then list in the fifth section activities for community colleges and four-year colleges to undertake in order to implement the strategies. The playbook concludes with a synthesis of practitioners’ perspectives on the benefits and challenges associated with state transfer articulation policies.

The research presented here highlights a set of practices, processes, and mindsets that distinguish colleges that are effective at ensuring that diverse students succeed in the labor market and that make a significant, positive difference in their communities.