YouthBuild USA
Postsecondary Partnership Planning
Mini-Toolkit
Prior to approaching a postsecondary institution to discuss partnership opportunities, it is
important that you identify your YouthBuild program’s goals and strategies for preparing
students to succeed in postsecondary education and training. This mini-toolkit provides
resources to develop a logic model clarifying your program’s PSE goals and activities. On page
2, you will find a logic model template to help you determine your YouthBuild program’s
postsecondary-related goals, determine strategies to reach these goals, and identify primary
activities that will support these efforts. We also provide a completed logic model sample on
page 5. Further instructions for using creating a logic model are in “Tips for Creating a Logic
Model” on page 8. While creating your logic model, you may want to refer to the
“Recommended Postsecondary Partnership Activities” tool as it recommends strategies that
will help you reach your goals. Finally, be sure to consult with students and alumni when
creating your plan. Examples of questions to ask students are listed on page 9.
Toolkit Contents:
Postsecondary Logic Model Template ................................................................................................. 2
Sample Postsecondary Logic Model .................................................................................................... 5
Tips for Creating a Logic Model .......................................................................................................... 8
Considering Student Input When Planning Your Work: Questions to Ask Students........................ 10
Recommended Postsecondary Partnership Activities....................................................................... 12
Notes .................................................................................................................................................... 15
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YouthBuild USA
Postsecondary Logic Model Template
This logic model template will help you determine your YouthBuild program’s postsecondary-related goals, determine strategies to reach these goals, and
identify primary activities that will support these efforts. When establishing goals, ensure that they are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic,
and Timely.
High Level Goals
Outcome
By End of Year 1
By End of Year 2
By End of Year 3
HSD/GED completion rate – for all students who enter program
needing the credential
%
%
%
Students completing an initial certification during the
YouthBuild program (NCCER, HBI, CNA, etc.)
%
%
%
Program placement rate in postsecondary education
%
%
%
Students in postsecondary education who complete a credential
%
%
%
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YouthBuild USA
Logic Model Template
Outcome/Goals
Students develop the academic and soft skills required for
success in postsecondary courses
Students receive the preparation needed to test out of
developmental education courses
SMART1 Goals:
Major Strategies
Primary Activities
Academic
Acceleration
Strategies (e.g.,
dual-credit courses,
summer bridge
programs, etc.)
Align Curriculum and
Instruction with
Postsecondary
Expectations
Students receive appropriate financial assistance and
planning to support their postsecondary transition and
completion
Students identify promising careers and establish clear and
realistic plans for pursuing those careers
SMART Goals:
Financial Aid and
Financial Literacy
Development
PSE and Career
Planning, Advising,
and Exposure
Career Development
and Planning
1
SMART: Goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely
Postsecondary Partnership Planning Mini-Toolkit
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Possible PSE
Partnership Activities
(see page 11)
Priority
High/Med/Low
YouthBuild USA
Outcome/Goals
Students receive strong supports once they enter the
postsecondary institution
SMART Goals:
Major Strategies
Primary Activities
Possible PSE
Partnership Activities
(see page 11)
Priority
High/Med/Low
Graduate Support
and Advising
Academic Assistance
Notes:
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YouthBuild USA
Sample Postsecondary Logic Model
High Level Goals
Outcome
By End of Year 1
By End of Year 2
By End of Year 3
HSD/GED completion rate – for all students who enter program
needing the credential
55%
65%
75%
Program placement rate in postsecondary education
33%
40%
50%
Students in postsecondary education who complete a credential
N/A
N/A
50%
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YouthBuild USA
Sample Completed Logic Model
Outcome/Goals
Students develop the academic and soft
skills required for success in postsecondary
courses
Students receive the preparation needed to
test out of developmental education
courses
Major Strategies
Academic
Acceleration
Strategies (e.g.,
dual-credit
courses, summer
bridge programs,
etc.)
SMART2 Goals:
All YouthBuild
students take college
placement exams
early to determine
need for
developmental
education.
Possible PSE Partnership
Activities
Align Curriculum
and Instruction
with
Postsecondary
Expectations
Develop dual-enrollment
agreements with
postsecondary partners so
students access
developmental education
courses while enrolled in the
YouthBuild program.
Medium
Review YouthBuild
curriculum to ensure
that students bypass
developmental
courses and learn
postsecondary
readiness skills.
PSE partner grants access to
college placement tests and
practice materials.
High
Work with faculty to align
curriculum with
postsecondary experiences.
SMART: Goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely
Postsecondary Partnership Planning Mini-Toolkit
Priority
High/Med/Low
Students concurrently
enroll in
developmental
courses at PSE
institution.
Year 1:
30% of entering PSE students will pass out
of developmental education
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Primary Activities
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YouthBuild USA
Outcome/Goals
Students receive appropriate financial
assistance and planning to support their
postsecondary transition and completion
Major Strategies
Primary Activities
Financial Aid and
Financial Literacy
Development
All students complete
FASFAs by state and
federal deadlines.
Students identify promising careers and
establish clear and realistic plans for
pursuing those careers
Have a financial aid
awareness workshop
before critical
financial aid deadlines
(January).
SMART Goals:
90% of YouthBuild students will complete
financial aid applications by key deadlines
80% of YouthBuild students will identify
potential careers and create plans to pursue
those careers
80% of students will submit enrollment
applications to local community college
PSE and Career
Planning,
Advising, and
Exposure
Career
Development and
Planning
Imbed postsecondary
planning into case
management
processes and
protocols.
Students research
and plan careers early
on.
Visit Career One Stop
offices to research
career ladders and
opportunities.
Students receive strong supports once they
enter the postsecondary institution
SMART Goals:
All qualified YouthBuild students enrolled in
postsecondary institutions will enroll and
utilize TRIO services
Postsecondary Partnership Planning Mini-Toolkit
Academic
Assistance
Work with student
support services
office at PSE
institution to identify
point person to
provide students with
graduate support.
Possible PSE Partnership
Activities
Postsecondary financial aid
administrator visits
YouthBuild program to host
workshop.
Meet with postsecondary
admissions staff to determine
which postsecondary
milestones should be
imbedded into case
management plans.
Have a partnership with
Career One Stop office.
Priority
High/Med/Low
High
High
Low
Develop partnerships with
career services department in
postsecondary institution.
Identify point person in
student service office (such as
TRIO program) to provide
supports to students.
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Medium
YouthBuild USA
Tips for Creating a Logic Model
 Before planning your postsecondary activities, consider the overarching
postsecondary goals that you are trying to achieve first. The first rubric, “High-Level
Outcomes,” specifies metrics that you would like to achieve for students’ secondary
degree attainment, postsecondary enrollment, and credential completion. In the logic
model template, the left hand column of the template outlines recommended priority
outcomes and goals that are critical for students’ postsecondary success. However, you
may want to create more specific goals for your program related to the outlined priority
areas – goals that are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
 Once you consider your goals in the logic model template, identify key strategies that
will help you work toward achieving these goals. For instance, academic acceleration
strategies such as engaging students in dual-enrollment courses and summer bridge
programs are ways to help students develop critical academic and soft skills. You may
also identify additional strategies not suggested in the rubric (in the blank cells).
 Now that you have outlined key strategies, think of specific activities that will help you
implement these strategies successfully. For instance, you may want to consider
implementing a financial aid workshop to ensure that students submit their financial aid
applications in a timely manner.
 As you think through possible activities, there may be specific activities that would
require collaboration with a postsecondary partner. List these specific activities in the
column titled “Possible Partnership Activities.”
 The “Recommended Postsecondary Partnership Activities” tool in this toolkit outlines
specific partnership activities that you may want to consider implementing in
collaboration with a postsecondary institution. Consider this list when planning your
partnership activities. Also, you may be able to identify possible partnership activities
when engaged in the research phase outlined in Chapter 2.
Once you’ve drafted your logic model, you should have a sense of your goals, the strategies
that you will engage to achieve these goals, and a clearer vision of what you would like to
achieve in collaboration with a postsecondary institution. In addition, you now have a list of
potential postsecondary partnership activities that may help you successfully move this work
forward.
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Keep in mind that your logic model will evolve as you continue this work. Review, revise, and
expand your overall plan with YouthBuild staff and postsecondary partners at least on a
quarterly basis.
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YouthBuild USA
Considering Student Input When Planning Your Work:
Questions to Ask Students
This tool outlines questions that you can ask current and former students to help guide your postsecondary
partnership planning efforts. Asking current and former students about their opinions regarding
postsecondary education, their long-term and short-term career goals, and the supports they need to get
there will inform your planning efforts while letting students know that you take their perspectives seriously.
For instance, many students might say their primary goal as they engage in YouthBuild is earning their GED.
This goal might indicate that your program needs to talk more explicitly about the benefits and importance of
postsecondary education and life-long learning.
Questions for Alumni:
Ask alumni enrolled (or previously enrolled) in postsecondary institutions:
1) Why did you decide to enroll in postsecondary education?
2) What are your goals as related to postsecondary education (what career goals, credentials, etc.)?
3) Now that you are enrolled in postsecondary education, what are your greatest challenges? What
supports do you think you need to overcome these challenges?
4) How do you feel about your work within your courses? What have been some of your greatest
successes in your courses? What have been some of your most significant challenges?
5) What resources and supports have you used in your postsecondary environment? What was it like
using these resources? Were these resources helpful?
6) What resources and supports within the postsecondary institution are you aware of but haven’t used.
Why haven’t you used these resources?
7) What specific supports do you think you still need from your YouthBuild program now that you are
enrolled in postsecondary education? What supports do you need from your postsecondary
institution?
Ask alumni who have not attended postsecondary institutions:
1) While enrolled in the YouthBuild program, did you consider attending postsecondary education? Why
or why not?
2) Do you plan on attending postsecondary education? What are your reasons for attending (or not
attending)?
3) What are your primary reasons for not enrolling in PSE now or as soon as you left the YouthBuild
program?
Questions for Current Students:
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YouthBuild USA
1) What did you want to achieve from your YouthBuild experience? What are your short-term goals?
What are your long long-term goals?
2) How do you feel about the prospect of enrolling in postsecondary education? What are your greatest
fears about attending college? What are your greatest hopes?
3) What are your career goals? During your time at YouthBuild, have you had the time to think about
what you would like to do in the future? What type of preparation is needed to help you reach
these career goals?
4) What do you want to learn about postsecondary education?
5) What types of opportunities and supports will best prepare you for postsecondary education?
6) What specific types of support do you expect to need while you are enrolled in postsecondary
education?
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YouthBuild USA
Recommended Postsecondary Partnership Activities
This list provides recommendations of postsecondary partnership activities for you to consider as you plan ways in which you will support students’
postsecondary preparation and completion. We link each activity to specific chapters within the Creating Postsecondary Partnerships that Work. These chapters
provide detailed information, resources, and case studies to help you successfully implement these activities.
Outcome/Goals
Major Strategies
Possible Postsecondary Partnership Activities
(and Relevant Partnership Guide Chapter Describing Practice)
Students develop the academic and
soft skills required for success in
postsecondary courses
Academic Acceleration
Strategies (e.g., dual-credit
courses, summer bridge
programs, etc.)
Develop dual-enrollment opportunities so that students can take
developmental education courses while enrolled in YouthBuild program.
(Chapters 4 and 5)
Work with PSE partner to develop a bridge programming course
specifically designed for YouthBuild students or work with partner to
provide students direct access to these courses. (Chapter 5)
Develop credit-bearing vocational courses taught by PSE faculty at
YouthBuild program so that students earn short-term career
certifications that can lead to higher-level, higher-paying careers.
(Chapters 4 and 5)
Align Curriculum and
Instruction with
Postsecondary
Expectations
Work with dean of instruction and faculty to review YouthBuild
curriculum and student work and design YouthBuild courses aligned with
PSE institution’s developmental education requirements.
(Chapter 4)
Have faculty review YouthBuild instruction and provide specific
feedback. (Chapter 4)
Provide students access to PSE institution’s tutoring labs to prepare for
COMPASS/ACCUPLACER exams. (Chapter 5)
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YouthBuild USA
Outcome/Goals
Students receive appropriate
transition support: Financial aid
assistance, career and
postsecondary planning
Major Strategies
PSE and Career Planning,
Advising, and Exposure
Possible Postsecondary Partnership Activities
(and Relevant Partnership Guide Chapter Describing Practice)
PSE partner offers students specialized campus tours. (Chapter 5)
PSE financial aid advisors visit YouthBuild program and help students
complete FAFSAs. (Chapter 5)
YouthBuild Alumni serve as advisors and mentors for current YouthBuild
students to inspire and support their postsecondary enrollment. (Chapter
5)
Students participate in postsecondary orientation sessions. (Chapter 5)
Students receive strong supports
once they enter the postsecondary
institution
Career Development and
Planning
Students access PSE institution’s career center to engage in planning
process, research careers, receive advice from career counselors.
(Chapter 5)
Graduate Support and
Advising
Develop shared staffing agreements so that YouthBuild staff person can
provide student support on the postsecondary campus – staff partially
funded by the PSE institution. (Chapter 6)
Work with PSE advising staff so that institution has a specific point
person for advising students who, in turn, communicates with
YouthBuild staff to provide students with additional support. (Chapter 6)
PSE partner provides on-campus space for YouthBuild staff member
(e.g., graduate coordinator, AmeriCorps VISTA) to provide enrolled
YouthBuild students with direct graduate support. (Chapter 6)
Student learning communities. (Chapter 6)
Review students’ PSE data (attendance, grades, financial aid package
summaries) to provide targeted interventions and supports. (Chapter 7)
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YouthBuild USA
Outcome/Goals
Students receive strong supports
once they enter the postsecondary
institution (continued)
Major Strategies
Academic Assistance
Possible Postsecondary Partnership Activities
(and Relevant Partnership Guide Chapter Describing Practice)
Work with postsecondary tutoring centers so students are referred
directly to the centers should any academic issues arise. (Chapter 6)
Link students directly to postsecondary supports related to academic
assistance (e.g., disability office, academic resource centers, etc.).
(Chapter 6)
Peer Mentoring/Support
Postsecondary Partnership Planning Mini-Toolkit
Develop learning community where YouthBuild students are enrolled in
similar classes and meet regularly to attend postsecondary orientation
sessions. (Chapter 6)
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Notes
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