As the school year ends in communities across the U.S., it’s time for students transitioning out of their K-12 journeys to decide on their next steps. Increasingly, many students will choose to attend schools that they hadn’t even applied to through a process called direct admissions, sometimes referred to as “automatic” or “guaranteed” admissions.
ECS’ recently updated 50-State Comparison on statewide admission policies defines these programs as “policies that proactively notify or admit students to one or more public postsecondary institutions based on predetermined criteria.” That very same resource found that at least 17 states have direct admissions policies or system-level programs for high school students who meet certain criteria. These programs are often viewed as ways to save applicants money and increase in-state enrollment at postsecondary institutions. However, state leaders seeking to start or expand these programs may want to consider how their existing data collection and sharing systems compliment – or hinder – their admissions goals.
How Idaho Led the Way
Back in 2015, Idaho pioneered this type of program by preemptively sending admissions decisions to high school seniors who meet specific criteria to enroll in six or eight institutions (the additional two include the more selective Boise State University and University of Idaho). The research suggests Idaho's program increased overall and in-state enrollment, with gains concentrated in open-access two-year colleges. However, the program did not significantly change high-performing student's likelihood of enrolling at Boise State University or the University of Idaho.
One advantage that Idaho’s program has over earlier institution-led programs, like the Common App that uses student-reported data, is that students are identified through data-sharing agreements with schools. This highlights the importance of establishing and maintaining robust state longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) to ensure these programs can continue.
How States (and Their Data) Are Adapting These Programs
With recent shifts in SLDS funding, many state data leaders have voiced concerns over the sustainability of their SLDSs. Keeping these systems modernized, accurate and secure could prove to be a key factor in continuing direct admissions programs and increasing enrollment at public institutions. Maintaining data sharing relationships with local education agencies and postsecondary institutions will be required to admit future cohorts of students.
Last year, S.B. 640 required the California State University System to expand the state’s direct admissions efforts, which now includes 16 California State University campuses available for prospective recipients of direct admissions. This program expanded statewide from an initial pilot in Riverside County in the southern region of the state. Beyond the inter-agency data sharing needs, public information sharing is also key to enrolling these students. This legislation requires that key information about the program and non-application steps for enrollment are made available on CaliforniaColleges.edu for prospective students, their families and educators.
In my home state of Georgia, the GEORGIA MATCH program offers students starting in grade 11 admissions decisions and, like other states including California, access to a dashboard, GAfutures. The process behind GEORGIA MATCH makes it a bit unique. The program was the result of a close collaboration among the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Student Finance Commission, the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System of Georgia. Through weekly inter-agency meetings and co-current training for high school guidance counselors, the program was able to launch quickly.
There are no single solutions to most issues in life, and college and career readiness is no different. As these programs evolve, state leaders are learning the value of shared data combined with accessible and understandable resources for promoting student participation in education beyond high school.
