Toward a purpose-first model of postsecondary support

Abstract

Preparing students for postsecondary life is among the most important roles that a high school plays. And yet, how schools approach this work, what schools should be preparing students for, and who should be responsible for this work have long been contested. Jeremy Greenfield draws on an emerging body of psychological literature exploring purpose and offers a new way to conceive of postsecondary preparation. Rather than focusing solely on college or career preparation, high schools ought to support students to identify their interests and build an emergent set of long term goals as part of purpose-first model of postsecondary support.