Where are They Now? Results from the Life After High School Study Presented at the 2018 SUCCESS Retreat Julia Alemany, Metis Associates Introductions

Why this study? Photo Courtesy from Pacific high School

What do you want to know about your students… 6 months 5 years 10 years ...after they graduate?

Study Design 9 of the 10 Ford high schools “After the fact” student recruitment Online survey 6 months after graduation (December-March) 75 of the 164 “eligible” students participated (46% response rate) In-depth interviews with smaller sample (April)

Where Are They Now?

What Are They Doing?

What Motivates Them? When deciding what to do after high school, what was important to you? (Multiple responses accepted)

What Motivates Them? When deciding what to do after high school, what was important to you? (Multiple responses accepted)

Influential People % of Respondents Indicating “Influential” or “Very influential”

I was living in [TOWN NAME] for two years, and I went to [NAME] High School. And then I got sick, and so I missed a lot of school and fell behind, so then we moved to [TOWN NAME], and I ended up going to [NAME] High School for a year. But they didn't really help me a lot to get caught up. And so I decided to try [GEAR UP Ford High School Name] out. I think I was deficient like 30 credits or something. And so, Mr. B. [NAME] ended up helping me out. He was the best principal I had ever had, because he actually put the time into the students, to help them. And so I ended up being able to graduate on time.

Students who did not go on to PSE

Reasons for Not Enrolling in PSE (Multiple responses accepted)

I became engaged after high school, and we want to buy a house I became engaged after high school, and we want to buy a house. And so, that's what we're in the process of doing right now. So it was kind of hard for me to go right into student loans without having a job. Because doing an RN program takes a lot of your time so, there wouldn't be a lot of time for me to work. And a professor actually told me that most of the time people who choose to have a job will not go through the program correctly, so I'll probably fail. And so, now I am able to have a job, and help us save money to buy a house. So that was one thing I wanted to accomplish before I start school.

Students Enrolled in PSE Reasons for Enrolling in PSE (Multiple responses accepted)

Students Enrolled in PSE MOST Important Reason for Enrolling in PSE

So, I love to learn, and I wanted to build a career for myself, and that's really hard to do just straight out of high school, to just get a job. I am also from a small town, so there's not a lot of opportunities. And so college was the perfect way to expand my knowledge, and to find a career. Also, to get out of my home town.

Students Enrolled in College Almost all are full-time students (91%) Most students are doing well academically However, most students are also taking or need to take remedial courses in math (69%) and in writing (64%)

Challenges of Being in College % of Respondents Indicating “Somewhat” or “Very” Challenging

Challenges of Being in College % of Respondents Indicating “Very Challenging”

Additional supports they need while in college Financial (more financial support, good paying job, information on scholarships) More friends Information on extra-curricular activities Tutoring Advisement, closer relationships with college professors Mental and emotional supports

Feedback on high school experience Most youth think their high school was helpful (40%) or very helpful (36%) in preparing them for life after high school. Most Important Supports in High School for Students Enrolled in PSE (% indicating “Very Important”)

Ms. C. [NAME], the GEAR UP counselor, was really great Ms. C. [NAME], the GEAR UP counselor, was really great. I was applying for a lot of scholarships, and she would hand them all the time. And one day she handed me an application, like a link to an application, and she's like, "It's due on Sunday, but I really think you should do it, because you sound like a great applicant.” And so did, and I ended up getting a $20,000 scholarship. I would have never ever done it if it wasn't for Ms. C. giving me the application.

Most Important Supports in High School for Students NOT Enrolled in PSE (% indicating “Very Important”)

Suggestions for High Schools from Students NOT Enrolled in PSE More classes in budgeting, taxes, money management, banking, and life skills More information on trade schools Nothing/It was great Suggestions for High Schools from Students Enrolled in PSE More dual credits courses Start with scholarships and financial aid earlier More college trips and college classes More positive encouragement and reinforcement What to expect in college and college success tips

Most REWARDING aspect of life after HS

Most CHALLENGING aspect of life after HS

Senior Exit Survey Benefits: Contact Information First generation status College/Financial Aid Application Information Future Plans School-Specific custom Questions (available each year) Contact information will be used by Metis to conduct a Life After High School study with your high school graduates Individual school results from this study will be shared with schools if response rate >50%

It’s not a dream, it’s a plan. COLLEGE It’s not a dream, it’s a plan.