About PSCCN

Today, more than ever, a postsecondary credential is critical to access living-wage jobs and sustain a vibrant, economically healthy region. Unfortunately, postsecondary education remains out of reach for many students across the Puget Sound region. According to the most recent Road Map Project data, only 29% of students in South Seattle and King County complete a two or four-year degree by their mid-20s. Although 95% of students aspire to go to college, first generation college-going students and other historically underserved students do not receive enough support and advising to access the financial aid system, submit applications, develop study skills and gain other forms of “college knowledge” needed to get to and through college and make decisions about what career path is right for them. Students also face the rising cost of living in our region, outpacing available scholarship supports, keeping many students of color and other underserved students from attending postsecondary institutions. Significant barriers are also created by uncoordinated K–12 and higher education systems, leaving students to navigate overly complex processes.

Who We Are

Puget Sound College and Career Network (PSCCN) is a K–12 partnership working to increase equitable postsecondary readiness and completion across King and Pierce Counties by working with students, educators, community organizations, schools, districts, colleges and state-level organizations to implement strategies, programming and supports for students.

PSCCN:

• SUPPORTS INNOVATION led by students and practitioners by learning from effective local and national models, supporting early adopters, and spreading effective practices
• BUILDS CAPACITY and shares expertise to spread use of high-impact strategies through trainings, highlighting effective partner practices, and sharing tools that are closing equity gaps in the region and across the country
• ENGAGES LEADERS at all levels to increase coordination, develop partnerships, define a bold collective vision, take action, and address system barriers

What We Know and Believe

• Access to education is a human right: Education, including postsecondary learning and exploration, is critical to just, equitable and thriving societies. Everyone deserves to explore, pursue and obtain postsecondary education.
• College is postsecondary education: “College” means education programs beyond the high school level, including those that offer apprenticeships, certificates associate's and bachelor's degrees.
• College access is racial equity work: For college access work to be relevant, it must be rooted in racial equity and identify racial equity as an end goal.
• College readiness is career readiness work: Being prepared for postsecondary education is part of being ready for career. Learning around college and career must be deeply integrated.
• Collaboration in college access is critical: To change systems, regional collaboration across school boundaries, sectors, organizations and positions is necessary.

PSCCN's Goals

• ­Increase college knowledge for students and families of color by establishing curriculum, resources and training for staff
• Increase­ financial aid completion by 5% annually by providing training, toolkit resources and campaign leadership
• Increase postsecondary enrollment by 2% annually by increasing cross-systems coordination, increasing student funding, and advocating for regional Promise models
• Decrease pre-college course taking by sharing effective local practices and data and coordinating sub-regional action planning

So that:

• By 2030, 70% of students of color in King and Pierce counties earn college degrees or career credentials
• We eliminate barriers that keep students of color, first generation and students impacted by poverty in King County and Pierce County from earning postsecondary credentials leading to family-wage careers

PSCCN Partners

Join us! Learn more at psccn.org or reach out to staff at psccn@psesd.org.

In partnership with the Puget Sound Educational Service District