In Washington state, the journey from high school to college is rarely straightforward, varying across cities and school districts. Despite diverse paths, every young person has the potential to succeed when provided with appropriate support and resources. Tacoma exemplifies this belief, recognizing the promise in each student to thrive in our dynamic economy, even as only about 60% of its high school graduates currently enroll in postsecondary education.
This summer, the Foundation for Tacoma Students hosted its annual Policy Learning Tour, bringing together policymakers and community leaders. The event explored innovative approaches to student outreach and college navigation support. By fostering collaboration, the tour aimed to increase postsecondary attainment and build a more robust, inclusive educational ecosystem throughout the region.
Supporting Students Beyond the School Year
Beginning in the communal spaces of the Graduate Tacoma office, the tour kicked off with a presentation highlighting how Franklin Pierce and Bethel school districts are reimagining student support to extend beyond graduation day. Utilizing grant funds provided through the U.S. Department of Education, counselors in these districts were able to expand their capacity to support students with their FAFSA application throughout the summer. Their innovative approach included:
- Personalized outreach through direct mail
- Proactive weekly check-ins via phone and email
- One-on-one meetings to guide students through paperwork and college preparation
This investment to ongoing support yielded impressive results:
- 82 recent graduates successfully completed FAFSA applications during summer across both districts
- Bethel saw a 6% increase in FAFSA submission rates between June-August
- Franklin Pierce achieved a 7% increase over the same period
Bethel High School Counselor, Malissa Wiggins, shared during the presentation–communities need a strategy to maintain contact with students during the critical months between high school graduation and college enrollment. This extended support system is especially valuable for marginalized students who often face unique barriers when left to navigate the college-going process alone.
This extended summer outreach showcases the dedication and creativity of our educators, who continuously find ways to support students during pivotal transition periods. This initiative also underscores the vital need for additional funding. Such investments in student support systems are crucial to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed, particularly during pivotal moments that can shape their future.
Creating a Sense of Belonging at the University of Washington Tacoma
The University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) provided the tour’s next glimpse into innovative student support. Here, the focus shifts from getting students to college to ensuring they thrive from the moment they step on campus. UWT’s comprehensive approach celebrates diversity and empowers students through:
- Peer mentoring for first-generation students
- Specialized support for former foster youth
- A pioneering program for students who were previously incarcerated
These initiatives build on a student’s resilience and drive to succeed, addressing not just academic achievement but also a sense of belonging and connectivity to their community.
By creating spaces that honor students’ diversity, UWT ensures that all students feel valued and supported in their pursuit of higher education. This holistic approach reaffirms that every student has the potential to succeed and that the strength of our community lies in lifting one another up.
Cultivating Early Readiness at the University of Puget Sound
At the University of Puget Sound (UPS), the tour explored how early intervention can shape educational trajectories. UPS’ Access Programs take a long-term approach by:
- Identifying and nurturing promising students as early as seventh grade
- Offering enriching summer academics that spark curiosity
- Providing ongoing mentorship to build confidence
- Offering scholarships to support continued academic growth
These programs recognize and cultivate the inherent potential in students years before they submit their first college application, laying a strong foundation for future success. These early intervention programs not only prepare students academically but also play a crucial role in building their confidence to thrive in a higher education setting.
Through peer advising and early exposure to college life and academic expectations, the Access Programs at UPS are helping demystify the college experience for students who might be the first in their families to pursue a degree in higher education.
Learning Tour Insights & Data Grounding
Graduation rates in Pierce County have remained consistent at 91% in recent years. Other core areas of student achievement present opportunities for intervention. In 2023, 18% of eighth-grade students demonstrated math proficiency, with BIPOC students at 12% and low-income students at 10%. Additionally, gaps in dual credit program participation highlight ongoing equity issues in access and support.Data from our latest Impact Report reveals significant gaps in engagement among various demographic and income groups, particularly when comparing college preparatory programs such as Advanced Placement (AP), College In the High School (CIHS), Running Start, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
A key contributing factor to the widening gaps in college readiness is unequal access to comprehensive college and career counseling. In Washington, for every college and career counselor, there are 373 students. The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250-to-1. With an already stretched resource, many students simply are not afforded adequate access to a navigational support structure. While tools and resources can be beneficial, they cannot replace the individualized support provided by skilled and trusted specialists. These adults play a crucial role in helping students:
- Explore attainable pathways
- Identify suitable degree programs
- Navigate financial aid options
- Complete enrollment processes
- Successfully transition to campus life
Policy At The Intersection Of Data And Lived Experiences
This year’s Policy Learning Tour illuminated both the progress made and the work that lies ahead. While local initiatives are making strides, systemic change requires action at a higher level. This is where policymakers enter the picture, wielding the power to effect change on a broader scale. For students, policy work carries an urgent weight – it has the potential to address the often invisible barriers they face daily, barriers that may remain unseen by those who’ve never had to scale them. Effective legislation often requires a deep understanding of its community’s lived experiences, collaborative efforts that bridge sectors and institutions, and an unwavering commitment to equity even when political headwinds grow strong.
Research has shown that counseling, advising, and coaching significantly increase postsecondary enrollment rates. The Foundation for Tacoma Students supports policy investments to expand the number of specialists in these positions across the state and provide free financial aid training and professional development open to any adult. Emerging state-level legislation for 2025 proposes to expand upon a successful pilot program and embed Outreach and Enrollment Specialist positions at community and technical colleges and public baccalaureate institutions across the state. The legislative framework also includes the creation of a new state-endorsed program to train K-12 school counselors, teachers, and community partners as financial aid navigators.
These policy proposals align closely with the Foundation for Tacoma Students’ ambitious 2030 goal: to see 70% of Tacoma Public Schools students earn a degree, technical certificate, or gain good-earning wage employment within six years of high school graduation.
As lawmakers consider the impact of future investments, they must recognize that transformative change in education isn’t achieved through surface-level fixes, but through policies that fundamentally restructure the entire system for equity. The path forward isn’t easy when you’re navigating an inequitable system, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. Every student who overcomes these obstacles and achieves their educational goals represents a victory not just for themselves, but for their entire community.
Throughout each visit of the tour, a common thread revealed that the path to educational equity isn’t woven with a single, grand solution, but rather interlaced with supporting strands, each braided to bridge the gaps students face today. From the anxious days of middle school to the triumphant walk across the graduation stage and beyond, the resolve to support students remains ever resilient. In times of abundance or scarcity, through shifting priorities and changing landscapes, dedicated educators and community leaders find innovative ways to guide and uplift learners of all backgrounds. This unwavering commitment ensures that, regardless of housing status or financial background, students will always have champions in their corner, ready to help them navigate the complex journey of education and beyond.
