The goal of StanFUTURES is to ensure all Stanislaus County high school graduates are ready for post-secondary education and are able successfully complete their degree or certificate program.
StanFUTURES
WHY THiS MATTERS
A vibrant economy is key to building a healthy community and a better quality of life for all residents. The higher the education level of a region’s residents, the greater the impact on the regional economy. However, by 2025, as baby boomers retire, 2.3 million California jobs will go unfilled due to a lack of college degree holders, including many teachers, nurses, doctors, and public administrators. The failure to meet the needs of the workforce could seriously limit our economic growth and future.
Priority Focus
StanFUTURES has identified a need to focus on disparities in high school completion and college enrollment through an extensive review of data and collection of insights from interviews with the community. The Action Team has drafted a refined working goal focused on the success of Latino and low-income boys.
Percent of High School Graduates Enrolled in College
SOURCE: National Student Clearinghouse Aggregate Report 11-18-2019
Class of 2019 College Enrollment
SOURCE: National Student Clearinghouse Demographic Report 11-18-2019. Economic Status not reported on 2,697 students.
Key InsightS/CHallenges
Only 16.9% of Stanislaus County students hold a four-year degree or higher compared to 33.3% in California. A review of disaggregated Stanislaus County data in 2018 revealed a growing disparity in college enrollment and completion for boys – particularly Latino and low-income boys.
We conducted over 100 interviews with system leaders, students, and parents to gain a more accurate understanding of the real needs, values, and aspirations of our target population. The research has revealed themes around mental health, the need for early exposure to careers and the impact of role models inside and outside of the classroom.
To address these themes, we drafted strategies to improve postsecondary success. We will work with students and parents to design and test these strategies through an iterative process.
Percent of Students Completing College Degree in Six Years
SOURCE: National Student Clearinghouse Aggregate Report 11-18-2019
Students Completing College Degree in Six Years, Class of 2013
SOURCE: National Student Clearinghouse Demographic Report 11-18-2019. Economic Status not reported on 2,697 students.
Team Leaders
Erin Littlepage
Student Success & Community Partnership Specialist, Program Manager: College Corps Program, CSU Stanislaus
elittlepage@csustan.edu
Paul Rutishauser
Director of Secondary Education, Ceres Unified School District
prutishauser@ceres.k12.ca.us
Daniel Marker
District Partnerships Manager, California College Guidance Initiative
DMarker@californiacolleges.edu
Tony boatner
College and Career Specialist, Stanislaus County Office of Education
ABoatner@stancoe.org
“The StanFUTURES action Team creates a safe space where we can look at data together with curiosity without getting caught in the defensiveness about who’s to blame or not to blame. I grew up here in the Central Valley. I am a proud alumna of both MJC and Stanislaus State, and my children now go to public school in the region. I’m deeply invested in this initiative because I know it will result in positive outcomes for our kids and strengthen our community.”