Springfield School Committee members on May 20 heard a district presentation laying out postsecondary outcomes for the class of 2024, plans to establish districtwide postsecondary-success teams and a partnership with the National Postsecondary Strategy Institute to increase college and career enrollment and credential attainment.

The presentation, led by Dr. Yolanda Johnson and supplemented by data presented by Bob St. Lawrence and a guest presentation from Dr. Joyce Brown of the National Postsecondary Strategy Institute, framed postsecondary success as a district priority tied to economic outcomes and recommended concrete structures — school- and district-level teams, monitoring processes, and counselor engagement — to raise enrollment and credential rates.

District data presented by Bob St. Lawrence showed that Springfield residents hold a high school diploma at a lower rate than the state (80% in Springfield vs. 91% statewide) and that 38.6% of the district’s class of 2024 enrolled in college the fall after graduation. St. Lawrence highlighted a correlation in district data between educational attainment and earnings: median earnings for Springfield high school graduates were shown as about $34,800, with a roughly $21,400 increase for workers holding a bachelor’s degree. Dr. Johnson said the district will “establish structures, and put monitoring processes in place to ensure college and career success.”

The district described current FAFSA completion as a major leverage point. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Brown said FAFSA completion correlates strongly with college enrollment; the presentation noted that 44% of the class of 2024 completed FAFSA last year and that the district’s current completion rate has risen to 54% with some schools — notably Putnam Vocational Technical Academy — at roughly 60–65% as of the presentation. Dr. Brown described Chicago Public Schools’ experience pushing FAFSA and said the work requires training, a data strategy and sustained school‑based supports: “When you believe, it'll change your behaviors,” she told the committee, arguing that counselor engagement and district systems drove Chicago’s gains.

Committee members asked whether Springfield has the staffing and funding to sustain large-scale FAFSA support and other postsecondary services. Dr. Johnson said district staff, the Springfield Promise program and external partners (including a GEAR UP grant) currently support FAFSA work and training, and that a number of schools are already achieving high completion rates. She told the committee the district expects to continue increasing the percentage of students who complete FAFSA before graduation.

Members discussed whether the school committee could adopt policy requiring FAFSA completion as a condition for graduation. Several members expressed interest in a phased approach that begins with a FAFSA requirement plus an opt‑out provision and strong, resourced supports for students and families. Vice Chair Monroe Naylor and Chair Gonzales both emphasized communication and supports to avoid unintended consequences for students headed to the military, apprenticeships, or immediate employment; Dr. Brown and Dr. Johnson said districts that have adopted such requirements typically include clear opt‑outs and provide multiple forms of assistance (even home visits with laptops) to help families complete forms.

The presentation also reviewed career and technical education (CTE) pathways and the district’s intent to strengthen vertical alignment beginning in middle school. Dr. Johnson said the district is exploring ways to expand CTE offerings while ensuring appropriate instructor credentialing and sustainability; committee members asked for additional detail about staffing, certification pathways and capacity to scale programs such as Putnam Vocational Technical Academy.

Committee members asked for follow‑up items including: a memo or briefing on what a FAFSA graduation requirement would entail legally and administratively, a plan for outreach and communication to families, and a staffing and budget review for sustained FAFSA and postsecondary supports. No policy was adopted at the meeting; members directed staff to return with implementation options and additional data.

Quotes used in this article come from members and presenters during the Springfield School Committee meeting on May 20, 2025. The presentation materials and video excerpts were introduced by district staff and outside partners, and committee members debated implementation details and next steps. The committee voted elsewhere on the agenda on routine items during the same meeting (field trip approvals and contract ratifications), but took no formal vote on a FAFSA requirement at this session.