College Access Programs
(CANs)
OVERVIEW |
All over the country, community-based, non-profit college access networks of local and national reach are helping students and their families achieve the goal of postsecondary education. To learn more about the National College Access Network (NCAN), which includes over 200 organizations, visit collegeaccess.org and find the college access programs operating in your area.
See the local and national sections for a few examples of college access programs and government initiatives currently in place around the country.
LOCAL |
KINGSPORT HIGHER EDUCATION INITIATIVE (KHEI)
As Kingsport's economy began to suffer near the end of the 1990s and its workforce got smaller, the city saw education levels drop among its residents, threatening to deepen the already serious crisis. Finally, in 1999, a city-led economic summit resulted in an effort called "Educate and Grow", which offered scholarships to a local community college for any city high school graduate meeting entrance requirements.
Under this plan, city officials worked with the Sullivan County school board to develop and finance a host of new programs to enhance academic outcomes of Kingsport students and build a more qualified workforce, including K-14, which extends public high school by an optional two years to prepare students before they enter the workforce.
To learn more about this program, visit kingsporthighered.org.
NATIONAL
OHIO CAN
The Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) was the first statewide coordinating body for college access programs in the nation, helping residents pursue postsecondary education by building and supporting local college access programs throughout the state. Currently, 35 college access programs serve roughly one-third of Ohio's school districts, reaching 173,000 students each year. To learn more about OCAN, visit ohiocan.org.
VA CAN
The Virginia College Access Network (VirginiaCAN) provides leadership and support for Virginia college access organizations, including professional development and networking, as well as educating key leaders on access and facilitating their support for increased resources. To learn more about VirginiaCAN, visit virginiacan.org.
