Giving Compass' Take:

• Lauren Barack writes about how institutions are preparing high schoolers for college, providing higher education courses for low-income students.

• How important is it for students to have the preparation for higher education before they get there? How are you supporting programs that are providing college courses to marginalized students?

• Learn more about the implications of providing college courses as a mandate in high schools.

A hundred 11th- and 12th-grade students in New York City will be able to take a free online criminal justice course, “Introduction to Criminal Justice,” from Howard University during the 2020-21 school year as part of a partnership with the nonprofit National Education Equity Lab, District Administration reports.

Other partnerships are also underway with colleges and universities, via the non-profit, including Yale University, the University of Connecticut and Arizona State University. All will focus on expanding opportunities to low-income students and students of color.

Howard University is specifically eyeing the partnership as a way to introduce historically black colleges and universities to more students, and its course will allow students to virtually visit local prisons to gain a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system.

While high schools are focused on helping students take the next step after graduating, whether that’s attending a college or university or seeking a job, partnerships with colleges can add another layer of support to scaffold students on their way.

Foundations can act as a bridge between these two, as well. This is the mission of the 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation, for example, which offers high school students full tuition scholarships to historically Black colleges and universities, along with ongoing guidance until they graduate with their degrees.

Read the full article about providing college courses to low-income students by Lauren Barack at Education Dive.