A P-16 approach to smooth transitions

Supporting the whole child from preschool through career

Educating the lifelong learner for the future requires that education institutions recognize the continuum of learning from birth to productive member of society. Across the country, states and local communities are developing P-16 systems (that is, preschool through college) that work to create a seamless education journey for young people.

P-16 efforts often focus on key transition points in the education pipeline by identifying and closing the gaps — or "leaks" —where youngsters are likely to face obstacles in moving successfully through critical transitions. The key transitions are: preschool to primary school, primary to high school, high school to postsecondary education, and postsecondary education to degree attainment and careers.

KnowledgeWorks Foundation has supported the P-16 approach by providing assistance to a state-level council, and funding and providing technical support to the formation of local councils throughout Ohio. These coalitions use a data-driven process to identify leaks in the alignment of local educational systems and shared priorities, then work together to address those goals.

P-16 councils in Ohio » Twenty-two communities across the state are taking the steps to smooth education transitions for their students.

Sharing lessons from P-16 » We gather and sharing information about how communities can come together in a P-16 effort and how such efforts are evolving.