ACT

This morning's plenary brought together true Movement Makers shaping the future of higher education. From tackling disparities in graduation rates to supporting students in their critical first year, panelists shared powerful insights on priorities for the next 5, 10, and 15 years. Here's what we learned: ?? Disparities in graduation rates for Latino and underserved students demand urgent action. ?? With 5.4M underemployed people in the U.S., aligning education with workforce needs is essential. ???? Early career planning and critical thinking are pivotal for student success. ?? Academic readiness and support must go hand in hand to ensure long-term attainment. It’s clear: as higher education evolves, the focus must stay on equity, workforce alignment, and student outcomes. #AllInCCA2024 Cuyahoga Community College | Excelencia in Education | University of Maine System (UMS) | ACT

“With transitions in technology, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and more, rural workers are again at the center of workforce development, and we must actively recruit, hire, and advance these workers for individual and collective prosperity as a country.” - Courtney Haynes, Opportunity@Work ACT has collaborated with Opportunity@Work to explore the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural workers without bachelor’s degrees. In a blog post published today, team members from ACT and Opportunity@Work share the results of this new research, which focuses on helping employers realize the full potential of the labor market to meet their talent needs. It also aims to ensure that workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) can find jobs that match their skills and experience. STARs make up more than half of the national workforce (51%), representing a significantly higher proportion of the rural workforce (65%). This makes rural STARs a critical focus for the broader STARs movement. Learn more about the researchers’ motivations, findings, and future plans. "I've met many STARs during my years working with ACT Work Ready Communities. Seeing someone in a low-wage job with no pathway forward is discouraging," says ACT Principal Research Scientist Cindy Hill. "But I've also seen and heard many stories of someone taking the ACT WorkKeys assessments, earning an ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness Certificate at the Gold or Platinum level, and their employer recognizing their potential and putting them on a career path within the company." Read the blog for more insights from Cindy and Opportunity@Work: https://lnkd.in/eJBNhiMF #RuralWorkforce #HireSTARs #ACTWorkReady #OpportunityAtWork #CareerDevelopment #WorkforceDevelopment?

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, ACT is highlighting the inspiring stories of two Indigenous high school students, Armand Azocar and Lorelai Everheart, who are charting their pathways to higher education. ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning and the Virginia Tribal Education Consortium (VTEC) help Indigenous students from Virginia-based tribal nations receive essential support as they prepare for college and future careers. Armand Azocar, a junior from the Upper Mattaponi Tribe, dreams of combining his passion for interior and industrial design with a career in competitive cycling. Lorelai Everheart, a senior from the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, is blending her Indigenous heritage with architecture, aspiring to design sustainable buildings that honor traditional Native designs. Both students have benefited from the vital support of VTEC and ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning, which provide resources like ACT fee waivers, college application assistance, and test preparation. “I am grateful for the ACT college preparation I received from VTEC,” Lorelai shares. “Having access to such supportive resources has made a meaningful difference in my journey, and I’m proud to have scored in the top 1%!” Read more about Armand and Lorelai’s stories, their unique aspirations, and the impact of VTEC and ACT’s collaboration in the blog post: https://lnkd.in/ee6U_Kf4 #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #NAHM #EducationForAll ?#IndigenousExcellence

“Higher education is my path to achieving change.”- Kiara Pekah, sophomore, Rose State College, Oklahoma. In the second part of a two-part blog series in celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Native American students Kiara Pekah and Oklahoma Baptist University sophomore Ryan Kosechata reflect on the importance of mentors, resources, and experiences that have shaped their higher education journeys. This month, ACT is pleased to spotlight student voices from the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA). TEDNA supports Tribal nations in empowering their youth for success culturally, academically, and beyond. “Education is important for growth and should be seen more as an option for Indigenous students. We are all innate students and there are so many possibilities out there to achieve what you want for yourself, the environment, your communities, and the world. We share a lot of things with those around us, and we do not walk alone,” says Kiara. ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning and TEDNA Tribal Education have collaborated on programs to empower students to pursue college and career pathways and create change in their communities. Read the blog post to learn more about Kiara and Ryan’s insights, aspirations, and advice: https://lnkd.in/eg4zf4Yp #NAHM #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #NativeEducation

.ACT is proud to continue the legacy of supporting the United Way and the agencies and community members they serve.?

Spreading the word about the ACT WorkKeys program and the #NationalCareerReadinessCertificate at Henderson State University with program director, Tim Hall. #workforcedevelopment #economicdevelopment

JUST RELEASED: Two new ACT studies reveal that high school students view their GPA as just one piece of their overall academic performance. They use multiple factors such as standardized test scores, difficulty level of high school courses, and grades in college-credit-bearing courses to decide whether they are ready for college courses. The research surveyed nearly 2,000 high school students across the country, collected as part of ACT’s Student Voice research, about how they would assess their college readiness and if their grades reflected their mastery of course content. Researchers found that students who accurately assessed their college readiness used multiple metrics beyond GPA, including course difficulty, grades in college credit-bearing courses taken in high school, and standardized test scores. “The findings underscore how colleges should continue to use a holistic approach to admission, encompassing a broader range of academic achievements, rather than placing too much of an emphasis on GPA,” ACT CEO Janet Godwin said. The research emphasizes the role high schools can play in helping students understand and use a range of academic measures. “By encouraging students to showcase their capabilities through various metrics, colleges can better assess readiness for higher education,” said Dr. Edgar Sanchez, principal research scientist, who co-authored both studies. “Additionally, these studies highlight the need to educate students about different measures of academic preparedness, so they can advocate for themselves effectively.” Read the press release and take a deeper dive into the research here: https://lnkd.in/exsh_9rz #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #StandardizedTesting #CollegeAdmissions

Today is National First-Generation Day, a day to honor the achievements and resilience of first-generation students, staff, and alumni. Watch as ACT's Chief Equity & Impact Officer Tina Gridiron celebrates the people who supported her along the way as a first-generation student pursuing higher education at University of California, Berkeley. Join ACT in sharing a word of encouragement below as we continue to support, uplift, and cheer on first-gen students as they break barriers, build brighter futures, and show others what is possible. To all first-generation students and graduates: we see you, we celebrate you, and we are so proud of you! #FirstGen #NationalFirstGenDay #FirstGenerationStudents #HigherEd #StudentSuccess

Every vote counts! The decisions we make at the ballot box have lasting impacts on education and the workforce. By voting, you contribute to shaping strong education systems and job markets. Vote today to ensure every student and worker has the resources and support they need to succeed.?

This month, ACT celebrates Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich history, cultures, and traditions of Native American people in the United States. ACT is pleased to spotlight student voices from the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA). TEDNA empowers Tribal nations to serve their youth with tools to succeed culturally, academically, and beyond. Over the years, ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning and TEDNA have collaborated on several programs and resources to advance college and career readiness and increase access to education among Native students nationwide. In part one of a two-part blog series, Ayden Anderson, a freshman at University of Oklahoma, and Carter Clipp, a freshman at Oklahoma State University, share their college and career goals, aspirations, and advice for other Indigenous students, highlighting their journeys through the support of TEDNA and ACT. “I was lucky to have a great TEDNA mentor who was extremely helpful in finding scholarship opportunities, writing reference letters, supporting me through challenges, and offering valuable advice,” says Carter. Read the blog to learn more about Ayden and Carter’s journey: https://lnkd.in/gu-Bp9JB #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #NAHM #TribalColleges #NativeEducation #NativeYouth #HigherEd