Survey of Career Pathways Students Finds High Interest in More Classes and Application to Classroom Practice

The Department of Early Education and Care presented results from its first student survey of the Career Pathways grant program, reporting that about 1,200 of roughly 4,000 students contacted responded (approximately a 30% response rate).

The agency said the survey — conducted in partnership with Abt Associates and the 15 public community colleges participating in the grant — was intended to learn directly from students about program supports, the relevance of coursework to classroom work, and next steps students planned to take in education and careers.

Survey findings summarized to the board show students reported substantial workplace relevance from coursework and continuing interest in further study. The department reported that about 77% of respondents were working full time; about 95% of respondents identified as female; and 54% reported being the first person in their family to attend college. The agency said students commonly reported that Career Pathways helped with registration, course selection and confidence in applying what they learned to classroom practice.

The research team said 1,200 responses represents a higher-than-expected response and similar rates across colleges; analysts cautioned that, because the agency lacks a complete census of the early education workforce, the sample cannot be claimed as statistically representative of the entire workforce.

Presenters and board members discussed how supports at community colleges — for example, access to textbooks paid by grants, advising and tutoring, and a 15–16 credit foundational certificate — can lower barriers for working adults and encourage further enrollment toward credentials and degrees. Board members noted the program’s potential to support predominantly female educators, many of whom are also caregivers, and flagged the program’s role in retention by helping staff pursue higher credentials.

The research team said the full Abt Associates report and a college-level memo prepared by a research fellow are posted on the department’s research projects page. Staff described plans to continue linking to higher-education data sources to inform program design and to share college-specific results with each participating institution.

Board members and agency staff said the survey will inform FY26 and FY27 program planning and financial-aid outreach — including connections to the ECE scholarship, MassReconnect and other supports — to help students move from single classes to certificates and associate degrees.

The board received the presentation and asked questions about supports (for example, childcare access at individual colleges), student awareness of services, and how the data will be used to guide future program investments.