College Knowing & Going

College Knowing & Going (CKG) is a statewide initiative led by Education Forward Arizona that works to increase postsecondary access, readiness, and success for Arizona students by helping schools build sustainable college and career readiness systems. Since 2015, CKG has partnered with high schools across the state to strengthen college-going cultures, expand schoolwide ownership of postsecondary readiness, and implement evidence-based practices that support students in achieving their goals beyond high school.

At the heart of the initiative is the College Readiness Team (CRT) Project, a partnership between Education Forward Arizona and the Northern Arizona College Resource Center. Through this project, 29 Arizona high schools engage in a comprehensive, data-driven, and student-centered process designed to improve college and career readiness outcomes, particularly for low-income, first-generation, and historically underserved students.

Each school establishes a cross-functional College Readiness Team composed of administrators, school counselors, teachers, students, families, community partners, and other stakeholders who work collaboratively to examine data, identify barriers, implement strategic improvements, and build sustainable systems that support student success. These teams work at the intersection of academic achievement and postsecondary access, using continuous improvement practices to create equitable opportunities and outcomes for all students.

By fostering shared ownership, elevating student voice, leveraging data-informed decision-making, and strengthening schoolwide capacity, CKG helps ensure that more Arizona students graduate with a clear postsecondary plan and the knowledge, resources, and support needed to successfully pursue college, career training, military service, or other pathways beyond high school.

The College Readiness Team model is grounded in five core principles:

• Every student should graduate with a clear postsecondary plan and pathway to success.
• Individualized advising and strong relationships help students successfully navigate postsecondary transitions.
• High expectations and equitable access to opportunities must be the standard for all students.
• Building a college-going culture requires distributed leadership and shared ownership across the entire school community.
• Data, student voice, and continuous improvement should guide strategic decisions and sustainable change.

Role of College Readiness Teams

College Readiness Teams serve as the driving force behind schoolwide college and career readiness efforts. By bringing together educators, administrators, students, families, and community partners, CRTs work collaboratively to:

• Strengthen schoolwide college-going and career-ready cultures
• Build sustainable systems that support postsecondary readiness and success
• Use data and student voice to identify barriers, monitor progress, and drive continuous improvement
• Develop and implement strategic action plans aligned to school and student needs
• Expand family, student, and community engagement in college and career readiness efforts
• Build the capacity of school counselors, educators, and school leaders to support postsecondary success
• Connect schools to resources, opportunities, and community partnerships that enhance student outcomes
• Inform local and statewide policy and practice through implementation and continuous learning