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Why does DC need Compact 2042?

DC has made big investments to support pathways work and has a long way to go.

The Need	Points of Pride	Pathways Investments
Grad rates (76%) are below national average Half of public school graduates enroll in college. 80% of alumni don’t earn a college degree; including 60% who start. Of the 10 most commonly held jobs for youth born in DC, only 4 are “good jobs.” Large income and racial wealth gaps exist.	80%+ increase in education funding in the last decade; top teacher pay in the country PreK3+4 and after school access Robust DCPS and charter school options Growing public school enrollment Fastest academic progress among urban school districts in the nation Unified system of governance	CTE enrollment expanded by 90% since 2019 Expansion of dual enrollment and early college high school Paid internships through OSSE and DOES The Advanced Technical Center(s) has expanded CTE and dual enrollment. The Education through Employment Data System will track carer outcomes.

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Our big goals

Compact 2042 aims to strengthen and expand pathways to college and careers for DC public school students so that graduates are prepared for economic prosperity and fulfilling lives in DC and beyond, whether entering the workforce immediately after high school or after further education.
As a result, DC employers will have access to a robust pipeline of local talent, driving the District's economic growth and prosperity.
Now more than ever, we want to make DC an attractive place for employers to locate and grow because of ease of access to talent.

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Theory of Action

DC’s education system provides authentic, accessible college and career pathways through expanded dual enrollment, CTE, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities

The system ensures robust advising, wraparound support, and partnerships with local industries, higher education institutions, and government agencies

Students will experience higher engagement in school, develop core competencies, and be better prepared for postsecondary education and careers

Graduates will achieve higher rates of educational completion, secure family-sustaining jobs, and contribute to a stronger, more equitable local economy powered by local talent

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Our vision for the system includes work along the �school-to-career pipeline

Employment

Post secondary

Secondary

What new conditions will exist in the system?

What policy and programmatic levers will we have to pull to achieve the conditions?

Compact 2024

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Conditions

Employment

Post secondary

Secondary

Compact 2024

Guaranteed access to pathways (e.g., dual enrollment, CTE, work-based learning) with credentials of value

Expanded internships and youth apprenticeship opportunities

Robust advising around course choice and postsecondary plans

Debt-free, industry-aligned training opportunities toward degrees and credentials (i.e., adult education, workforce training, institutions of higher education)

Strengthened UDC with articulated pathways within and outside of the institution

Expanded apprenticeships in high-demand industries

Robust partnerships between anchor employers, K-12, and higher education to train talent

Expanded hiring of DC residents in high-growth sectors

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Programmatic and policy levers

Employment

Post secondary

Secondary

Compact 2024

Graduation requirements to facilitate career-connected learning
Sustainable funding for pathways
College and career advising to support postsecondary transitions
Education through Employment Data System to track student outcomes

Coaching and career navigation to support success
Articulation and transfer agreements with UDC and regional IHEs
Performance-based funding for training programs
Re-envisioned workforce training oversight
Education through Employment Data System

Employer-led sector partnerships aligned to DCs labor market
Clear, coordinated industry engagement; one door to government
Strong employer incentives for engagement and hiring

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Measuring success: 4 key goals of the Compact

D.C. students graduate high school prepared to enter college and career.

By 2042, 100% of DC public school students will complete at least one OSSE-approved Pathway (e.g., CTE, early college).

DC high school graduates will earn a post-secondary degree or credential to access the jobs of today and tomorrow.

80% of 2042 DC public school grads will complete a postsecondary degree or credential within 6 years.

DC graduates will access careers that enable economic mobility.

80% of 2042 DC public school graduates will earn a living wage, and their unemployment rate will be 5%.

DC graduates will meet the District's current and future workforce needs.

80% of 2042 DC public school graduates will be hired in priority sectors.

Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3

Goal 4

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Dashboard Example (Goal 1): High School Experience

	Pathways Completion Percentage of students who complete an OSSE-approved Pathway (e.g., CTE, AP/IB, early college)	Dual Credit Percentage of students who earn college credit through dual enrollment, AP/IB and/or articulated credit	Industry Recognized Certifications (IRC) Percentage of CTE students completing an IRC in high school
2024 Baseline	*	*	*
2029 Five Year Goal	70%	30%	50%
2034 Midpoint	80%	50%	75%
2042 The year students born today will graduate from high school	100%	75%	100%

Discussion Draft

For each metric, our goal is to ensure that the outcomes by subgroup (e.g., race, ward of residence, at-risk status, students with disabilities) reflect those of the public school population

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Compact 2042 is clearly part of much broader and rapidly-evolving agenda

Strong and engaging schools to support economic vitality; the “reimagining of high school”
Social mobility for our residents furthest from opportunity
Critical economic diversification efforts to stem displaced worker outmigration and build a resilient economy for the future

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Join us!

To learn more or get involved, please contact:

Clara Haskell Botstein, Senior Director of Policy�📧 Email: Clara.Botstein@dc.gov
Kalecia Baity, Senior Policy Analyst�📧 Email: Kalecia.Baity@dc.gov
Sophia Roy, Harvard Fellow

📧 Email: SophiaRoy@gse.harvard.edu