Tennessee’s Advise TN Program Bolsters College Enrollment: Early Findings Show a 6% Increase at Participating Schools

The importance of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s Advise TN program, which assists high school students in getting ready for post-secondary education, was recognized today. Since its inception in 2017, the initiative has placed college and career counselors in as many as 30 high schools annually, assisting students and families with everything from college application to beyond.

Advise TN is a shining example of progress, despite the fact that national college enrollment rates have declined in the current environment. A statement from THEC states that initial results show a 6% rise in college enrollment at participating institutions. Reflecting on the program’s accomplishments, THEC Executive Director Dr. Steven Gentile said, “These preliminary findings highlight the important role that Advise TN plays in assisting our students’ academic endeavors. More Tennessee students will have the chance to pursue higher education and realize their objectives thanks to Advise TN’s stable, qualified advisers and emphasis on a variety of college-preparation programs.

The advantages, however, are not dispersed equally; rather, they have blossomed where they are most needed. For example, rural schools have seen a remarkable 8% increase in college enrollment. There has been a 16% increase for Hispanic pupils and a 7% increase for women. The study, which was carried out in collaboration with researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, examined a number of metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of Advise TN, such as the frequency of meetings between students and advisors. It discovered that students who met their advisor more than four times during the academic year were 31% more likely to pursue higher education.

The initiative’s success was evaluated by main researcher Dr. Taylor Odle, an assistant professor of educational policy studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For this type of program, Advise TN has some of the strongest effects in the country. This is partly because the program is well-designed and does more than only give students knowledge. Advisors support students at every stage as they consider and implement their college and career choices. The data shows that Dr. Odletold THEC is working and that TN is working. An unambiguous story of success for Advise TN schools was obtained by comparing their results with those of non-participating schools.

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