SAISD one of eight districts nationwide selected based on its commitment to increasing student college, career outcomes
San Antonio ISD has been selected to participate in The National Postsecondary Strategy Institute (NPSI) Network, a national network of public school districts that are dedicated to increasing college and career outcomes for low-income and minority students. The network is a new initiative that is launching with eight member districts from across the nation to work with their leadership teams in improving student success outcomes. Scalable and measurable practices identified through the initiative will be captured and shared with the broader education community.
“Being part of this network is a monumental opportunity for us to accelerate our students’ postsecondary success outcomes around college, career, and military readiness as well as college enrollment,” said Dr. Eduardo Sesatty, SAISD director of Postsecondary Initiatives. “Our team is excited to have this opportunity to supplement ongoing synergy within our district to focus on our students’ postsecondary outcomes as our measure of success.”
Over the next two years, the NPSI National Network will transform how districts scale proven and innovative strategies to increase college and career outcomes for all students, including college readiness, FAFSA completion, college enrollment, college completion, and postsecondary participation.
The eight inaugural districts were selected to participate in the network through a competitive application process. The districts selected demonstrated a commitment to strategically lead in accelerating college and career outcomes for their students.
Thanks to a grant from the Kresge Foundation, the eight districts will participate in the Network at no cost. Baltimore City Public Schools, Denver Public Schools, Everett Public Schools (Washington), Fort Worth Independent School District, Indianapolis Public Schools, Michigan City Area Schools (Indiana), and the New York City Department of Education will be participating alongside SAISD.
The NPSI Network supports districts to solve problems of practice through devising strategies and interventions that help close attainment gaps across race and income. Long-term, sustained increases in degree attainment can be achieved if districts develop a holistic organizational approach to improving postsecondary outcomes for all students. While policymakers across the country have set goals to increase postsecondary attainment, until NPSI, no national organization has offered such direct support to school districts to contribute to these goals.
The National Postsecondary Strategy Institute model is rooted in NPSI’s leadership team’s work as founders of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) postsecondary success strategy from 2003 to 2009 which led to improved outcomes for CPS students over a 15-year period: college enrollment increased from 43% to 68% and B.A. degree completion went from 6% of entering high school freshmen to over 20%.