School Counselors, on average, spend less than 1 hour of postsecondary education counseling per student during the entire school year.
Only 35% of America’s college students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four years and just over half (52%) graduate within six years.
The College Completion Crisis
The percentage of high school graduates enrolling in college is increasing for all racial and income groups (NASH & Education Trust, 2009); however, these gains in college access rates are not being matched by gains in college success rates. Only 35% of America’s college students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in four years and just over half (52%) graduate within six years (College Board, 2009; 2014). In addition, less than 10% of American students who are considered low-income, first generation college-students graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree by the age of 24 (postsecondary.org).
For students who attend college part-time, the completion rate is even lower: Less than 25% graduate within eight years (Complete College America, 2011). In today’s unforgiving labor market, college students must complete in order to compete; if they withdraw from college without completing a workforce relevant certificate, credential or degree, their prospects for finding gainful employment will be seriously jeopardized (Collins, 2009; Carnevale, 2014). Moreover, among those students who withdraw from college, 3 out of 10 leave with loan debt (Johnson et al., 2009). Thus, students who do not complete college pay a double penalty: They incur immediate debt and, at the same time, they forfeit subsequent income (and other benefits) associated with attainment of a postsecondary credential.
By 2020, 7 out of 10 jobs in the U.S., will require more than a high school diploma.
Graduation from high school became a national expectation following World War II. Today, the expectation is that all young people should continue their formal education after high school in order to compete in today’s workforce. Our “knowledge-based economy” now requires 7 out of every 10 jobs to be filled by someone who has completed at least some type of postsecondary education (Carnevale, 2014). Low-income students who never attend or graduate from college will have a hard road ahead. They are twice as likely to be unemployed. They will earn half as much as college graduates. They are more likely to end up in poverty. America’s future rests on our ability to develop the talent of all students regardless of their background.
College and Career Aspirations – Attainment Gap
Research shows that 9 out 10 students in low-income communities say they want to go to college to prepare to achieve their career aspirations. However, by the time they reach their senior year in high school, only a small fraction of students enroll in college, and of those who do start, less than 10% graduate from college by age 24 with a Bachelor’s Degree within six years (postsecondary.org). If we do not work to close the college and career aspirations – attainment gap, millions of low-income students across the globe who aspire to achieve their career aspirations or dream job will not have the knowledge, skills, relevant experiences, and the resources needed to enter the career of their choice.
Definition.
College and Career Aspirations – Attainment Gap: The distance between a student’s stated college and career aspirations and the realization of completing some form of postsecondary education, specifically to be prepared to enter high skilled careers or trades.
Only 8% of Low-Income students enroll and graduate from college by age 24 with a Bachelor’s Degree within six years.
Over the past decades college enrollment rates have increased. However, research shows that there is a small percentage of low-income students that enroll in college, and of those who matriculate, only 8% graduate from college by age 24 with a Bachelor’s Degree within six years (postsecondary.org).
The NAPCA Foundation Inc., is a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) educational corporation which provides strategic leadership, administrative and educational support, and fiscal sponsorship for a consortium of five institutions working together with a similar purpose, mission and vision.
The five organizations include:
- National Association of Professional College & Career Advisors
- NAPCA Summer Academy
- NAPCA Weekend Academy
- National Association of Peer College Advisors
- National Association of Parent College Advisors
Each organization has its own office, its own students, staff and faculty, and its own distinctive approach to accomplish the mission and vision of NAPCA.
Here is a list of some of the administrative services we offer to each organization: Program Design and Development, Program Assessment & Evaluation, Risk management, human and financial resources, payroll and accounting, information technology – website and graphic design services, marketing, organizational capacity building, and other services.
The Foundation is led by a Board of Directors, which includes leaders in business, law, psychology, counseling, and education. The Board of Directors are assisted by an International Board of Advisors, comprised of community leaders in communities across the world, who provide advice, guidance, and resources. Grants from corporations, private foundations and individuals committed to our purpose driven mission support the NAPCA Foundation. Furthermore, the Board of Directors is committed to building NAPCA’s stature as one of the world’s preeminent nonprofit organizations dedicated exclusively to increasing 21st century students’ preparation to enroll in some form of postsecondary education and graduate with a high quality college degree or workforce relevant certificate and/or credential.
NAPCA Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower students to define their life’s purpose/career path, break through their barriers, and prepare to enroll and complete some form of postsecondary education, specifically to be prepared to enter high skilled careers or trades.
NAPCA Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.