State P-20 Councils and Collaboration Between K-12 and Higher Education

Abstract

For decades, numerous observers have agreed on the value of collaboration between K-12 and higher education—especially as these sectors work toward increasing college readiness and success. While most states maintain separate agencies for K-12 and higher education, many states have worked to foster collaboration through state P-20 councils. Policy makers’ interest in these councils has waned somewhat as evidenced by the decreasing number of state councils over the past few years. This may be because while collaboration is easy to initiate, it is difficult to do well and sustain. Therefore, understanding the mechanics of collaboration through P-20 council operations may help to improve their functioning and possibly become a more fruitful tool for states. In this study, three state P-20 councils are examined to understand what, if any, catalysts in the organizational structure of the councils promote collaboration.