Advancing Innovation in Work and Learning | june 8, 2021
Will the millions of Americans whose education plans were disrupted by the pandemic ever reconnect with postsecondary education?
That’s the question on the minds of anyone concerned about the nation’s ability to rebound from the pandemic — and Strada Public Viewpoint data shows the number of disrupted learners with no plans to return has increased since last year.
The shift represents a national crisis. “They're no longer on the path to all of the benefits that we associate with education: upward mobility, career advancements, realizing your potential, and achieving your goals,” said Andrew Hanson, Strada director of research.
Strada Public Viewpoint data show that among individuals who changed or canceled education plans because of COVID-19, the share who are enrolled or intend to enroll in an education program in the next six months has declined since a year ago, from 90 percent to 68 percent.
In a webinar about the research, expert panelists offered guidance for re-enrolling disrupted learners:
Customize wraparound supports and guidance to meet students where they are. To connect with students, schools need to add more customized services and guidance. Too often, students are not even aware of the supports offered.
Enlist faculty members. Colleges need to prioritize more resources for faculty members to help students reconnect, including with work-based learning.
Harness the potential of the moment. While the pandemic brought on a historic crisis for enrollment, also monumental is the flush of expected government support. With this influx comes great opportunity.
A NETWORK APPROACH AT EDUVENTURES A panel of four experts from across Strada Education Network will come together in an Eduventures Summit Virtual Research Forum webinar to discuss how to recover the enrollment declines that have touched nearly every sector of higher ed this year. The free webinar, “Bring Them Back: What Students Need To Return and Complete,” will be moderated by Janet Salm, Strada managing director of research, and feature panelists Earl Buford, president of CAEL; Jaime Nunez, president of Education at Work; and Ruth V. Watkins, president of Strada Impact. The 3 p.m. EDT June 16 discussion will offer insights on how to reconnect with students and engage them at every stage of their journey.
CRISIS INTERVENTION FOR STUDENTS
Colleges and universities must be willing to take steps to help students survive, let alone succeed academically, writes Lula Torres, manager of crisis support services at student coaching pioneer InsideTrack. In her work as a crisis interventionist, Torres handles cases that demand the greatest, most immediate response. Students have to know they are being heard, and the help they receive has to be practical and actionable. As Torres writes, “Without addressing the specific emotional needs and safety needs of students, universities cannot expect them to prioritize their schoolwork.”
POWER OF EMPLOYER PARTNERSHIPS
CAEL member Excelsior College is finding creative ways to raise awareness about prior learning assessment and increase access to PLA through building employer partnerships, CAEL Senior Vice President of Engagement Christine Carpenter writes. By vetting individual corporate training programs and formalizing them as a source of college credit, the college is helping adult learners make parallel progress in their careers and education — plus boosting the relevancy and effectiveness of college and corporate training and opening new avenues to completing college.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS Strada Interim CEO Tom Dawson will join Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak for a conversation at noon EDT Thursday about workforce development in Nevada. The webinar, “The Silver State: Becoming a Gold Standard for Innovation,” will be moderated by Roadtrip Nation President and Co-Founder Mike Marriner and feature industry leaders such as Chris Reilly, workforce development and education lead at Tesla. The session is part of Social Innovation Summit 2021, which brings together leaders from around the world for a series of discussions and debates about social impact.
Lessons Earned
In our podcast, we explore bold ideas to help Americans navigate between learning and earning throughout their lives.
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