The Skillman Foundation

The Skillman Foundation funded the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) to launch the College Bound Detroit program, which is working with counselors in 10 schools to develop and implement a data-driven strategy to increase postsecondary success and access. We believe that school counselors have more potential to champion a college and career going culture that can be unlocked with greater support from DCAN, their schools, and each other as colleagues in this cohort model, which includes DPSCD and charter counselors.

Four middle and six high schools—each demonstrating strong commitment from the building principal, school counseling team, and dedicated college and career readiness staff—were selected for the 2019-20 school year through a competitive process and received targeted professional development and technical assistance. With these new tools and training, they are now implementing plans to improve college-going culture and support in their schools.

The goal is to increase baseline college enrollment, persistence, or graduation rate data by at least 5% within the school year, to ensure every student has a college and career plan, and to transform school culture and capacity in a sustainable way. We are all learning a lot about what it will take to better support schools to reach their goals for students. DCAN intends to engage with five-to-seven additional schools this year.