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Overall, this study found several key factors that might help improve postsecondary completion. First, nearly all the case study cities had established partnerships across education sectors and between colleges and employers that helped bring hundreds to thousands more students into postsecondary institutions. Specific interventions aimed at easing students’ transitions between high school and college, and between two-year and four-year college environments, seemed to be particularly instrumental in helping them earn college credits and credentials. In supporting underrepresented minority and low-income students, strong transfer agreements between two-year and four-year colleges, widespread financial aid, and intensive student services seem to play a key role. Finally, contextual factors, such as the economic downturn, often influenced cities’ efforts and outcomes. Successful cities found ways to highlight their postsecondary opportunities and promote student achievement within their changing environments.
While most higher education research has focused on the efforts of colleges to improve student outcomes, work outside these institutions can also be critical to achieving this goal. The communities surrounding postsecondary institutions — including local businesses, philanthropic organizations, and nonprofits — play an important role in employing and serving many of the colleges’ students. Learning how colleges work within and among their local communities to improve student achievement can provide insights into how college access and success can be promoted.