WGU Labs

America’s vocational rehabilitation system is at a crossroads. Fifty years ago, IDEA promised students with disabilities equal access to education. Decades later, WIOA was introduced to create an inclusive, future-ready workforce. While progress has been made, systemic barriers and outdated systems continue to hold back millions of skilled individuals. Today, momentum for reauthorizing WIOA is stalled and IDEA’s future is uncertain, leaving millions of skilled individuals with disabilities underemployed or excluded from the workforce. Our latest white paper, authored by WGU Labs Lead Consultant Jessica Cornell, MBA in collaboration with our Accelerator client Daivergent, outlines how today’s latest technology — like virtual platforms, AI-driven tools, and innovative service delivery — can modernize vocational rehabilitation, improving accessibility and connecting job seekers to high-expectation roles. This is about finishing what IDEA started — ensuring that generations of individuals with disabilities, who were promised opportunity in the classroom, now have access to meaningful, high-quality jobs. It’s also about demonstrating how innovative technology can fulfill WIOA’s mission: upskilling workers, addressing labor shortages, and engaging employers with an untapped talent pool. With bipartisan support for workforce modernization and a $645 billion untapped workforce opportunity, the time for investment and action is now. https://lnkd.in/g5mczftW

According to recent polling, only 36% of Americans have high confidence in higher education. With rising tuition costs and decreasing job relevancy, their skepticism is valid. Still, data continues to show that college graduates outearn those without a credential over their lifetimes. However, outcomes vary widely depending on factors like race, gender, pre-college income, and the type of institution attended. “That’s why federal and state policymakers, along with institutional leaders, should consider how policies and funding can increase college value by supporting affordability and completion,” writes Diane Cheng, vice president of research and policy at the Institute for Higher Education Policy in a piece for The Hechinger Report: https://lnkd.in/eUVgWW7e.?? Cheng calls for leveraging data-driven insights to develop targeted strategies that improve the ROI of college for all students. “For example, the findings of a study in our recent research series analyzing the relationships between post-college earnings outcomes and key student characteristics such as race, gender, and pre-college income tell us that greater financial stability during college is correlated with higher economic returns. This is especially true at four-year public schools, and it highlights the importance of expanding access to emergency aid, promoting financial literacy, and enhancing transparency around college costs and financial aid options.” In our own research, we uncovered a similar pattern. Students given unrestricted emergency aid — most of which they spent on food, utility bills, and housing — showed an 11% increase in graduation rates. Taken together, these findings make a compelling case for increasing wraparound support to improve student completion careers and long-term economic success. https://lnkd.in/eETNr33d?

“The Class of 2025 will be the first to have widespread access to large language models (LLMs) for the majority of their student lives. If, as we have been repeatedly told, we believe that AI will be the “great leveler” for students by transforming their access to learning, then it follows that graduate outcomes will be significantly impacted. Most importantly, we should expect to see more students entering careers that meaningfully engage with their studies,” write Sean Richardson and Paul Redford, two former educators-turned-student-employability-professionals, for Inside Higher Ed. “The reality on the ground presents a stark difference. Many professionals working in career advice and guidance are struggling with the opposite effect: Rather than acting as the great leveler, AI tools are only deepening existing divides.” Richardson and Redford identified three key challenges contributing to the AI inequity dilemma: 1?? Overreliance on AI: Students often trust AI to handle tasks like CVs and cover letters without grasping their purpose. While AI-generated writing may appear polished, many struggle to expand on their answers when asked. “Overreliance on AI tools is deskilling students by preventing them from understanding the purpose of their writing, thereby creating a split between what a candidate looks like on paper and how they present in real life. Students can only mask a lack of skills for so long.” 2?? The Post-Pandemic Social Skills Deficit: Students entering university today experienced critical learning disruptions during their formative years, which disproportionately affected those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Now, those who already possess high levels of critical thinking are able to use AI more effectively and strategically. Meanwhile, those struggling with literacy often fail to assess AI-generated content critically, widening the gap between students who excel and those left behind. 3?? Higher Ed’s Role in Navigating AI Disruption: Too many college advisors are still operating under the presumption that students follow a “one degree, one career” trajectory. As industries rapidly adapt to AI, higher education must do the same. Career services should teach students to use AI critically and strategically, not just generically. By aligning guidance with market trends and AI-driven career opportunities, institutions can better prepare students for the evolving job landscape. “If we fail to achieve this and blindly accept platitudes around AI improving equity, we risk deepening structural imbalances among students that uphold long-standing issues in graduate outcomes.” https://lnkd.in/gagjPY3w

Online education has rapidly shifted from a secondary option to a core strategy for colleges looking to attract and serve students. As of fall 2023, 54.3% of college students were taking at least one online course — about 25% higher than pre-pandemic projections, according to Phil Hill & Associates’s analysis of U.S. Department of Education data. Students are drawn to online learning for its flexibility and accelerated pathways, especially those unwilling or unable to commit to a full-time, in-person college experience. For colleges, online education offers a way to expand their reach, generate revenue, and address demographic challenges, such as declining high school graduates. It’s also an opportunity to reinforce higher education’s value amid growing public skepticism. Experts note a shift among traditional undergraduates, not just working adults, as more campus-based students opt for a mix of online and in-person courses. However, institutions have learned that simply offering online courses isn’t enough. Quality matters. Students can easily recognize the types of low-quality online experiences that were prevalent during the pandemic, such as poorly adapted course materials, limited instructor engagement, and basic multiple-choice assessments. As online education becomes more competitive, some colleges are refining their strategies by: ?? Monitoring student performance and persistence in online courses. ?? Differentiating programs in a crowded market. ?? Aligning courses with industry and workforce needs. ???? Implementing quality controls and faculty training. ?? Prioritizing collaboration in redesigning online learning. Affordability and flexibility remain key, but students are also demanding high-quality, accredited online education that delivers real value. Learn more via The Chronicle of Higher Education https://lnkd.in/dKrgw5z8

In a recent episode of the WorkingNation podcast (https://lnkd.in/e5FQpjXX), Ramona Schindelheim sat down with Dr. Yalda Tehranian-Uhls, founder and CEO of the Center for Scholars and Storytellers at UCLA. A new study from the center found that the American Dream remains desirable for most Gen Z Americans — but feels out of reach for them on a personal level. Young people say economic and financial challenges, including the high cost of education, are making achieving the American Dream feel increasingly unattainable to them. According to the study, 60% of the young people surveyed say “the American Dream is realistic and achievable for most people in today’s society,” but 60% also say “it would be difficult to achieve it themselves personally.” “Everybody wants to succeed in the way that their family did or even more than their family did, but they don’t believe that they can achieve it. And that is based on the reality of their lives. There is such income and inequality; it is just increasing. They also don’t believe that the system works. They don’t believe that politics work, education is broken,” Dr. Uhls said. “The things that are meant to be able to lift us up and get you on a path of economic stability, unfortunately is not really prevalent in today’s society, in particular for those from lower-income families.” One driver of this sentiment? The cost of higher education and resulting student loan debt. In our joint report with our Accelerator client Savi, we came to similar conclusions regarding the American Dream. We found that student loans delay milestones typically associated with the American Dream, such as buying a home, saving for retirement, getting married, starting a family, and pursuing a job they’re passionate about. As a result, millions of borrowers have found the “American Dream” to be more fantasy than reality. https://lnkd.in/gHckUsQv

Last week, I had an incredible experience at AEFP 2025 in Washington, D.C., where I presented “Equity Audits as Catalysts for Transforming Student Support Services”. At WGU Labs our equity audits have impacted the educational journeys of thousands of college students, and I was honored to help lead this work. While in D.C., I also visited the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture —a much needed recharge, and a powerful reminder of resilience and strength.

Tomorrow! Don’t miss the chance to hear from Keely Cat-Wells, founder and CEO of our Accelerator client Making Space, alongside other accessibility experts at Microsoft’s annual Ability Summit. This free digital event will feature human-centered design best practices, product demos, and skilling opportunities to help you get to the next level of accessibility.

Parent students — those juggling school and childcare — make up 22% of postsecondary learners. “Supporting these learners and helping them succeed in postsecondary education is critical both to meeting the country’s current and future workforce needs and to enhancing educational and economic opportunities for American families,” writes Emily Wielk for the Bipartisan Policy Center. Despite their potential, parent students face unique challenges that impact retention and completion. Balancing school, work, and caregiving increases their risk of stopping out before earning a degree. Recognizing this, states across the political spectrum have launched initiatives to improve their postsecondary experience, demonstrating bipartisan support for these efforts.? While solutions must be tailored to meet specific needs, the following strategies can help advance efforts that better support this critical workforce demographic: 1?? Data: Better data on student parents is necessary to identify the best ways to support this population. Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, and Texas have all enacted legislation aimed at improving data collection on student parents.? 2?? Alignment: Arkansas’ Career Pathways Initiative and Kentucky’s Ready to Work program show how aligning support for low-income parents boosts economic and social outcomes. These programs connect eligible parent students with education assistance, direct support services, and dedicated staff for academic and career guidance. 3?? ?Innovation: Testing new ideas is critical to finding more effective solutions. Virginia’s College Attainment for Parent Students (CAPS) program helps parent students overcome barriers in the community college system. Piloted at five institutions, it provides eligible students with stipends and dedicated support services to aid their educational journey. At WGU Labs, we believe the proportion of parent students will only continue to grow as learners defer postsecondary education due to immediate financial needs and the waning perception of the value of higher education — but find themselves in need of a credential later in life to advance in their careers. We hope to see more states implement solutions like those outlined above. https://lnkd.in/gty9_Hx3

“In effect, AI forces educators to confront an uncomfortable truth: If the primary goal of an assignment is only to produce information or replicate existing knowledge, then AI can often do the job more efficiently,” writes Faculty Coordinator Jarek Janio for The EvoLLLution: A Modern Campus Illumination: https://lnkd.in/gs_3EVnZ.?? “However, this very disruption can spur innovation in the design of student learning experiences. Instead of purely testing recall or cursory comprehension, assignments can shift toward assessing students’ ability to apply, synthesize, and create. And these are skills that require deeper engagement and can be more readily observed.” WGU Labs Senior Learning Experience Designer Tadd Farmer, Ph.D. came to a similar conclusion in a recent blog post, writing, “If students are using AI to cheat, perhaps the ultimate blame lies not in the technology but in the education model.” Tadd explains how a competency-based education (CBE) model neutralizes the threat of AI use in the classroom. CBE minimizes opportunities for cheating by integrating cognitively complex, authentic learning into all activities, assignments, and assessments. https://lnkd.in/gWVrr5g2?

Last week at SXSW EDU in Austin, TX, our team, in partnership with Stand Together Ventures Lab and WGU Labs, participated in a thought-provoking discussion on the future of frontline workers, upskilling, and human capital. Bringing together investors, founders, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from corporate training, human capital management, and the global knowledge marketplace, we explored key innovations shaping workforce development and talent readiness. The exchange of insights and perspectives underscored the importance of equipping workers with the skills needed for the evolving economy. A sincere thank you to everyone who participated in these meaningful discussions. A special acknowledgment to our panelists from "Frontline Reboot: Building the Next Generation of Talent for a Hands-On Future": Christopher Curran – Tyton Partners - Investment Banking Partners Jonathan Jou – Stand Together Ventures Lab Allie Danziger – Ascent Stephanie Scearce – Georgia Association of Manufacturers (GAM) Parminder K. Jassal – Unmudl Skills-to-Jobs Marketplace We look forward to continuing these conversations and collaborating on innovative solutions to strengthen workforce development and talent pipelines. #SXSWEDU #WorkforceDevelopment #Upskilling #FutureOfWork #HumanCapital