As we head into a new academic year, we’re excited to share that CARA is one of 17 organizations that support K12 districts and schools that came together to distill what we’ve learned about advancing effective college and career advising. The product of our conversations over several months is a School District Framework for Enabling Postsecondary Success, which launched this month on the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) website. This important work is meant to provide a comprehensive guide for school districts across the nation who are aiming to enhance postsecondary access and support for students.

This open-source tool is not prescriptive but encourages districts to assess their systems, identify strengths and gaps, and work with partners to tailor the framework to their specific needs. The framework is structured around five key pillars – Committed Leadership, Setting Strategy, Ensuring Schools Have Capacity, Collaborating with Community Partners, and Using Real-time Data.

We are proud to have been asked to contribute to this framework and share our insights and experiences in college access and success; and we look forward to its broader impact to guide districts across the country in advancing postsecondary equity and success for all students.