YouthBuild Columbus Post-Secondary Education Initiative

The YouthBuild Columbus Community School (YBCCS) dedicated resources and staff time for building and extending a partnership with the Columbus State Community College (CSCC).  Working with a retired provost from CSCC, YouthBuild Columbus made deep connections with the college.  The former provost serves as a consultant to YBCCS; his connections to the inner workings of the community college system have proven invaluable for growing the partnership.

Through an articulation agreement with CSCC, YouthBuild Columbus students can earn up to nine credits toward an associate degree upon completion of National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) modules.  A recent extension of the agreement provides students an opportunity to earn from 5 to 12 credits for completing State Tested Nurse Assistant training while at YouthBuild.

Academic alignment between the partners was supported by another project in which CSCC professors from four core areas met with YouthBuild staff to review instructional practices, curriculum materials, lesson plans, and expectations for students.  After an extensive alignment review, the CSCC professors recommended specific curriculum enhancements and professional development opportunities to ensure YouthBuild’s academic instruction would be congruent with postsecondary partner observes teaching and learning within the YouthBuild context and better understands the needs of YouthBuild students.

YouthBuild USA's Post-Secondary Education Initiative

With a $6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, YouthBuild USA is providing training, technical assistance, and funding to seven local YouthBuild programs over three years so that more low-income young adults who have dropped out of high school can go on to complete postsecondary education after earning GEDs or diplomas.

The Initiative

The seven participating programs in the YouthBuild USA Postsecondary Education Initiative were selected for their readiness and capacity to strengthen postsecondary partnerships, deepen graduate supports, improve academic offerings, and increase the numbers of YouthBuild graduates who complete postsecondary credentials on their way toward building careers and becoming leaders within their communities.

Metro Atlanta YouthBuild
(Atlanta, Georgia)

YouthBuild McLean County     (Bloomington, Illinois)

YouthBuild Brockton
(Massachusetts)

YouthBuild Columbus
(Ohio)

Portland YouthBuilders
(Oregon)

YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School (Pennsylvania)

Operation Fresh Start
(Madison, Wisconsin)

                     The Rationale

The YouthBuild USA Postsecondary Education Initiative recognizes that it is not sufficient for young people to complete high school and begin postsecondary programs.  To improve the future of young people and the economic and social health of our nation, we must dramatically increase the rate at which low-income young people complete postsecondary education and obtain meaningful career credentials.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 75 percent of all new jobs will require a postsecondary education credential, and 24 of the 30 fastest growing career fields will require postsecondary credentials by 2014.  Salaries also are higher for individuals with postsecondary education.

Beyond economic factors, increasing postsecondary access and success rates creates more equitable life opportunities.  According to the College Board and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, individuals with postsecondary education credentials are more likely to vote, volunteer, lead stable families, and guide their own children toward success in adulthood.

                          The Goals

The YouthBuild USA Postsecondary Education Initiative has set ambitious goals:  By 2012, more than half of all students in YouthBuild PSE programs will enroll in postsecondary education or credential programs.  And half of these students will complete their programs.  While a 50 percent postsecondary completion rate leaves room for improvement, it represents great promise relative to national rates of 10 to 15 percent for low-income youth who have previously dropped out of high school.

Statistics on the value of postsecondary education abound.  More significant are the stories of YouthBuild graduates transforming their lives and communities through education.  YouthBuild graduates nationwide, including those highlighted in this Bulletin*, are proving that YouthBuild alumni have the talent, ability, and motivation to succeed in postsecondary education and rewarding careers.

YouthBuild graduates are on the path to improving their lives and communities, and postsecondary education is an important part of their journey.  We hope the stories of the students and programs in this Bulletin* will inform and inspire your efforts in making postsecondary education a reality for more of our nation’s young people.