Every October, Boston Public Schools facilitates College & Career Month to help each and every BPS student navigate the fast-changing post-secondary landscape. In partnership with Success Boston and The Boston Foundation, College and Career Month features events, activities, and resources specifically designed to encourage and empower all students and their families in the education and career planning process.
To date, the Success Boston program has had remarkable success raising the college completion rate for BPS graduates from 35 percent for the BPS Class of 2000 to 52 percent for the BPS Class of 2015, an almost 20 percentage point increase.
With large changes to the higher education landscape in the Commonwealth, including the launch of MassReconnect, the expansion of the City of Boston’s Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan for all Boston residents regardless of age and immigration status, the Tuition Equity bill signed into law guaranteeing in-state tuition rates to undocumented and DACA-status residents, and the success of Early College and Innovation Pathways, it’s more important than ever before that Boston’s students and families understand the wide variety of resources and opportunities available to them.
“Our mission is to focus on the well-being of the whole child and accelerate our students’ academic performance,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “This month, BPS will be focusing on college and career exploration, through events like the Citywide College, Career, and STEM Fair, to help prepare our young people for college, careers, and beyond. Engaging our students and advising them about college and career opportunities will set them up for success throughout the rest of their journey in education, in career, and in life after they leave Boston Public Schools.”
The goal of College & Career Month is to showcase all of the city’s varied and helpful resources designed to get students prepared for, enrolled in, and successfully complete a postsecondary pathway. The project directly supports the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s statewide effort to help prepare students for Success after High School.
“It is important that we educate the 21st-century student in ways that will set them up for success in the 21st century,” said Boston School Committee Chairperson Jeri Robinson. “That is what College and Career Month is all about: Educating the leaders of tomorrow by fostering the skills they need to succeed.”
Finally, for the third year in a row, BPS is partnering with a group of social media-savvy student ambassadors to promote events and resources throughout the month. Engaging with students through near-peer advocacy is important as they gain perspective about career possibilities and experiences.
“College & Career Month gives students from across grade levels opportunities to advance their post-high school plans and learn about potential paths to fulfilling futures,” said M. Lee Pelton, President and CEO of the Boston Foundation. “We are pleased once again to partner with BPS through Success Boston for this important effort.” College & Career Month highlights a weekly theme, with students across elementary, middle, and high schools participating in age-appropriate college and career awareness activities. The 2023-themed weeks are Exploring Skills and Interests; College and Career Readiness and Entrepreneurship; STEAM; and College Affordability and Financial Literacy.