Improve College Access & Affordability

� Expand dual enrollment and STEM early college opportunities

“Dual Enrollment Partnerships Open Doors” on page 24“STEM Starter Academy Students Finish Big” on page 26

� Promote “knowledge about college” through high school partnerships, events

“MetroWest College Planning Center” on page 22“GEAR UP and Sign Up for College” on page 29

� Create more affordable pathways to—and through—college

“The Commonwealth Commitment” on page 23

Close Achievement Gaps � Increase support to and expand

opportunities for low-income male students and male students of color who are at risk of not entering or finishing college

“100 Males Pilot Programs Launch” on page 32“Cohort-Based Support Models Spell Success” on page 34

Raise College Completion Rates

� Overhaul developmental (remedial) education programs

“Breaking Remedial Math Barriers” on page 40

� Expand use of retention software and student support/advising

“Excelencia in Education” on page 35

� Map seamless, statewide transfer pathways from two-year colleges to four-year universities

“Blazing New Transfer Pathways, Discipline by Discipline” on page 38

* All strategies aligned with workforce needs

Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities and the DHE are sharpening the focus on three key areas of the Vision Project to address the Degree Gap.

The “Big Three” Degree Plan

ThRouGh The VIsIon PRojeCT, MAssAChuseTTs’ PuBlIC ColleGes AnD unIVeRsITIes hAVe Been woRkInG To IMPRoVe college completion rates and other performance outcomes with the goal of producing “the best-educated citizenry and workforce in the nation.” With this report, the Department shifts attention to three of the seven areas of the Vision Project, each central to the goal of reducing or eliminating the Degree Gap.

“While the Vision Project remains the Board-approved agenda for higher education, I believe we need to ‘hone in’ on these three priorities and also include more direct emphasis on affordability,” said Commissioner Carlos E. Santiago. “Workforce alignment runs as an undercurrent though this more tightly focused agenda, the goal of which is to improve our rates of degree completion. Students, and the employers who are waiting to hire them, are counting on us to achieve faster, more far-reaching results.”

“Drilling down on these three priorities will be essential if we are to hasten the pace of progress,” said Board of Higher Education Chairman Chris Gabrieli. “Campuses are going to need to work more closely in regional partnerships and find creative, meaningful ways to bring best practices to scale if we are to realize system-level progress.”

Honing

INHoning

Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

21Honing In20