Post-Secondary Pathways
Public education has never been more critical to ensuring economic mobility and future success.
A college degree is increasingly important for promoting economic mobility. While much of the post-secondary policy attention is focused on college attendance, there are significantly larger disparities in college completion rates. Students living in areas with high poverty rates disproportionately face challenges to success in college, including access to a high-quality high school education with a strong college-bound culture, guidance in navigating complex college admissions and financial aid processes, and a lack of additional supports necessary to help them persist. While 76% of CPS first-year students aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, it is estimated that only 18% will do so within ten years of starting high school.
The Education Lab is working in partnership with CPS and college success providers in Chicago to identify and co-design supports to support CPS students–especially Options students–to achieve their post-secondary aspirations in college and career.
Post-Secondary Pathways
The Education Lab partnered with Chicago Public Schools to help implement and pilot interventions aiming to support the post-secondary career and education outcomes in Chicago schools where students face significant challenges.
![Group of CPS high school students pose in white lab coats](https://educationlab.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/A47EF95F-7603-4F13-9A79-8391B339A951-1-1024x768.jpg)
Post-Secondary Champions
The Education Lab partnered with Chicago Public Schools to help implement a program embedding post-secondary advisors in schools to provide personalized supports for students’ post-secondary career and education outcomes.
![High school students meet with an admissions rep during a college fair.](https://educationlab.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/Post-secondary-champions-1024x651.jpg)
Embedded Analysts
The Education Lab provides technical assistance to support Chicago Public Schools in using data analysis to answer key questions and guide daily decisions.
![Business person working at their desk](https://educationlab.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/iStock-1142333174-1024x683.jpg)
Genesys Works
The Education Lab is evaluating the impact of Genesys Works, an education and workforce development program that aims to improve high school achievement, college enrollment, college persistence, employment, and earnings.
![Boy Talking to Psychologist](https://educationlab.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/06/iStock-1463773305-1024x683.jpg)
Latest Updates
Partner Spotlight: How AJ Gutierrez is increasing educational equity through collaboration and evaluation
Over the past ten years, Saga’s growth and success has been bolstered through collaborations with researchers, community organizations, and research centers like J-PAL North America and the University of Chicago’s Education Lab.
![](https://educationlab.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/J-PAL_Logo.png)
Jens Ludwig and Randall Stephenson: What America can learn from ‘Toyota Way’ to improve education outcomes
Jens Ludwig and Randall Stephenson present a transformative idea to improve learning outcomes in the U.S.
![](https://educationlab.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-09-at-10.00.10-AM-1-1024x215.png)
Roseanna Ander: From Commune to Crime Fighter
Roseanna Ander joins The Chicago Network’s HerStories Podcast to discuss how her background led to her work today in reducing gun violence and advancing justice as Founding Executive Director of The University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab.
![](https://educationlab.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/index.jpeg)