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EDUCATION PHILANTHROPY DIVISION OF ASCENDIUM EDUCATION GROUP

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Streamline Key Learner Transitions

Our philanthropy supports institutions and systems as they work to facilitate seamless transitions between educational and career opportunities after high school.

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How We See the Problem

Leveraging workforce training, transferring between postsecondary providers and entering or re-entering the workforce are pivotal moments in a learner’s career or academic journey. Institutions and systems can implement policies and practices that inadvertently make these transitions difficult. For example, when curricula don’t align, or information systems are incapable of sharing data effectively, students risk losing credits, momentum and money. The jump from postsecondary education into the workforce also presents challenges, especially when institutions offer programming that does not align with the skills employers need.

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Ascendium's Approach

An investment priority to...

Explore diverse pathways to and through postsecondary education and workforce training

Means we support...

  • Identifying, validating and scaling high-quality, nontraditional postsecondary education and training models, such as apprenticeships, career pathways, short term credentials and competency-based education
  • Promoting collaboration between postsecondary education and non-degree providers

Which will lead to...

  • Increasing learners’ understanding of the credentialing landscape and equitable pathways to careers
  • Increasing learner completion of nontraditional postsecondary education and training that enhance their readiness and access to employment, sustainable career pathways and additional education
  • Recognition from the traditional academe of high-quality, non-degree credentials and training, resulting in accessible and equitable pathways to additional education and careers

An investment priority to...

Ease transitions between, and returning to, postsecondary providers

Means we support...

  • Reforming policy and practice to improve transfer and application of credit at system, state and regional levels
  • Supporting effective strategies to reengage adult learners with some college, but no degree

Which will lead to...

  • Learners with some college but no degree re-enrolling and earning a high-quality credential
  • Increasing the number of learners who successfully move between education providers without losing credit, slowing momentum or delaying credential completion

An investment priority to...

Smooth transitions between postsecondary education and the workforce

Means we support...

  • Promoting postsecondary alignment and collaboration with workforce and economic development
  • Expanding data infrastructure and information sharing between postsecondary education providers and the workforce
  • Scaling effective institutional policies and practices that promote successful job placement leading to socioeconomic mobility

Which will lead to...

  • Postsecondary and workforce systems sharing data to provide learners with relevant education that meets economic and workforce needs and learners’ goals
  • Postsecondary institutions demonstrating commitment to learners’ career outcomes

Grants to Streamline Key Learner Transitions

To learn about our approach to grantmaking (Exploration, Validation, Scaling), visit our How We Fund page.

Text Steps Summer Melt Texting-WSCA Travel Grants

Scaling
Wisconsin School Counselor Association|$10,000|10/2019 - 2/2020
This grant supports the Wisconsin School Counselor Association in providing travel grants to the 13 Text Steps districts to attend the 2020 WSCA Annual Conference.

College Promise Technical Assistance Initiative Phase II

Validation
MDRC|$1,000,519|1/2018 - 12/2019
This grant supports MDRC efforts to increase the retention and persistence rates of students who receive College Promise scholarships at four selected programs by providing technical assistance in the design and implementation of evidence-based student success interventions that supplement financial support.
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Latest News

September 22, 2022

New COVID-19 Transfer Data Findings, the Impact of Media Grant Partners on Inequity and More

  • COVID-19 Transfer Data Reveals Trends that Can Inform Equity and Student Success Policies
  • Engaging with Media Showcases Grant Partners’ Positive Impact on Inequity
  • Are You Interested in a Student-Centered Partnership?
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August 30, 2022

Free Workforce Trainings Expanded to More Hawai’i Residents

Building on a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, an Ascendium grant supports the University of Hawaii System in coordinating with local industry partners to identify and map career ladders, credentials and degree pathways that lead to a range of high-demand, entry-level occupations.

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Resources

COVID-19 Transfer, Mobility and Progress: First Two Years of the Pandemic Report

The final report in the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s series shows overall declines in both transfer enrollment and continuing enrollment post-transfer during the COVID-19 health crisis. Transfer students over 20 years old were among those whose enrollments declined most. In addition, community college enrollments dropped sharply, aligning with a drop in transfers from two- to four-year institutions, otherwise known as upward transfer.

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COVID-19 Transfer, Mobility and Progress: Spring 2022 Report

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center has released its eighth report in a series which analyzes undergraduate transfer enrollment and pathways throughout the COVID-19 health crisis. This report examines data from the spring 2022 term, with numbers indicating transfer enrollment dropped another 6.9% over last year.

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Carolynn
Lee

Senior Program Officer,
Streamline Key Learner Transitions

Maryann
Rainey

Program Officer,
Expand Postsecondary Education in Prison

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