New Release! State Policy Agenda to Support the Adoption and Scaling of Evidence-Based Student Success Practices: Finance Policy
Each year, millions of students begin their postsecondary journey but leave without earning a credential. This lost opportunity comes at a high cost—time, money, and often, long-term financial hardship.
Fortunately, research has identified programs and practices that significantly improve student success. With this knowledge, we have both the tools and the responsibility to change outcomes for students—particularly first-generation, low-income, and students of color who face disproportionate barriers. Yet, despite strong evidence, these approaches are rarely implemented at scale.
HCM’s new policy series, State Policy Agenda to Support the Adoption and Scaling of Evidence-Based Student Success Practices, explores how state policies can expand and sustain proven strategies that drive college completion and economic mobility.
We’re proud to release the first brief in this series: Finance Policy. This issue brief examines how state finance policies—such as funding models, resource allocation, and investment strategies—can enable institutions to adopt and scale evidence-based student success practices. It highlights examples of effective approaches and offers actionable recommendations for state leaders seeking to align funding with improved student outcomes.
Future briefs in this series will focus on two additional pillars of the state policy agenda:
Affordability – exploring financial aid, tuition policy, and support for students’ basic needs.
Student Supports – strengthening guided pathways, advising, and developmental education reform.
Together, these briefs provide a comprehensive roadmap for state policymakers committed to advancing evidence-based programs and transforming the postsecondary landscape.
