Future Readiness coordinator reports surge in student engagement, largest college fair yet

Quakertown Community School District’s new Future Readiness Coordinator, Eric Gossard, reported to the education committee that his first year of programming has seen substantially increased student and parent engagement, expanded experiential learning and growing interest in apprenticeships and dual enrollment.

Gossard, who described the position as new to both him and the district, said that as of April 4 he had held more than 600 one‑on‑one student meetings and delivered more than 90 classroom presentations. He said student participation in college and military visits rose from about 84 last year to 231 this year. Gossard also said his April 10 college fair will host a record 96 colleges, trade schools and apprenticeship programs—up from roughly 68 last year.

Program highlights discussed at the April 7 committee meeting included the district’s use of RIASEC career‑interest profiling to help students explore majors and career pathways, expanded parent communications and a stronger focus on financial aid literacy for seniors. Gossard described one case where a 20‑minute RIASEC conversation helped a previously undecided senior develop a specific plan.

He also reported early senior‑survey data (roughly 300–357 respondents so far) showing a small dip in four‑year college intent and a pickup in interest in apprenticeships; he cited growing participation in field trips to trade programs such as an IBEW lineman training visit scheduled in May. On dual enrollment, Gossard said growth is continuing but transferability of credits remains a variable the team is tracking.

Why it matters: The Future Readiness initiative connects college, career and financial planning with classroom work and district partnerships. Committee members praised the engagement numbers and asked administration to track outcomes—especially whether dual enrollment and community‑college partnerships accelerate postsecondary completion or reduce student debt.

Next steps: Gossard said Bucks County Community College representatives will help students pre‑select college classes on district campus and that he will continue to build parent webinars and senior financial literacy supports. The committee thanked Gossard and said it looked forward to the college fair results and continuing outcome data.

Less critical details: Gossard also noted new social media outreach (an Instagram account he uses to share events) and expansion of small‑group counseling for English language learners.