District expands early college and MEFA Pathway use; staff report higher dual-enrollment credits
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Summary
New Bedford officials reported growth in early college enrollment, adoption of MEFA Pathway for student planning, and progress on college application supports. Presenters said 34 early-college seniors had earned an average of nine credits at midyear with projected averages above 12 by graduation.
District staff told the School Committee Tuesday that early college and college-access initiatives are expanding, and that a new district-wide college and career platform is improving student planning.
Jen McGuire, the districts college and career information coordinator, said the early college program had 34 students in the senior cohort and that those students averaged more than nine college credits at the midyear check. McGuire said the class had the potential to average about 14.5 credits by graduation if students remain on track. "At the midpoint of this year... the average number of credits earned so far was already over 9 credits each," she said, and noted the state expectation of roughly 12 credits for an early college pathway.
McGuire described MEFA Pathway as the districts new college- and career-readiness platform; the district selected it in part because it is free, designed to start in middle school, and provides reporting that supports counselors. She said MEFA Pathway is integrated with the Common App and allows counselors to manage application materials and collect outcome data when students report decisions.
District staff reported that, as of May 6, 241 seniors had recorded a college commitment in the districts tracking tools, with roughly 90 additional seniors having applied but not yet indicated a final choice. McGuire also said the district is running early college partnerships with Bristol Community College and pilot programs with UMass Dartmouth and Bridgewater State.
Superintendent Andrew O'Leary said the district is working to close barriers to persistence and completion after high school, and highlighted state- and philanthropic-funded initiatives that aim to increase access and persistence for students from gateway cities.
Committee members asked for comparative and longitudinal data on persistence and postsecondary credential attainment to track program effectiveness beyond initial enrollment and to measure summer melt. McGuire said the district will continue refining metrics and that college-access staff will pursue stronger data collection and family outreach to reduce summer melt and increase FAFSA/MASFA completion.