Postsecondary Readiness

How can we increase equity in access and success in early
postsecondary opportunities (EPSOs)?

Pearl Academies 2
Postsecondary Readiness: MNPS Seniors
Hillwood Academies of Nashville

About the Research

EPSOs—high school academic offerings that expose students to advanced coursework and build their foundational career skills—are a key lever for increasing postsecondary enrollment and completion. Increasing EPSO participation and completion is part of a district-wide strategy to improve college and career readiness for all students—and particularly for traditionally marginalized groups within MNPS. Our study seeks to identify and address sources of disparities in EPSO participation and success within the district.

Featured Brief

Why EPSOs Matter: Preliminary Analysis on EPSO Completion and Student Outcomes in MNPS Schools

This brief highlights the positive relationship between completion of Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSOs) and subsequent student outcomes, including students’ performance on the ACT and college enrollment.

Related News & Publications

March 12, 2024

This brief highlights the positive relationship between completion of Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSOs) and subsequent student outcomes, including students’ performance on the ACT and college enrollment.

October 22, 2022

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October 22, 2022

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Working Group Members

Metro Nashville Public Schools

Sanjana Ballal-Link
Director, Partnerships for Postsecondary Readiness

Kevin Edwards
Ready Graduate Coordinator

Meri Kock
ACT Coordinator

Emily Munn
Director, Advanced Academics

Matthew Nelson
Executive Director, College & Career Readiness

Kwame Nti
Senior Information Analyst, Advanced Academics 

David Williams
Executive Officer, Teaching & Learning

Vanderbilt University

Mary Castillo
Doctoral Student

Sean Corcoran
Associate Professor of Public Policy & Education

Kaitlyn Dodgen
Graduate Research Assistant

Shaun Dougherty
Professor of Education & Policy
(Boston University)

Erin Henrick
PEER Co-Director

Changhee Lee
Postdoctoral Fellow

Mary Smith
Doctoral Student

Richard Welsh
Associate Professor of Education & Public Policy

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