Goodwill’s unique take on the high school dropout epidemic has resulted in astounding overall outcomes as graduates attain more gainful employment and earn higher incomes. This article examines the incredible success of The Excel Center and how it has changed lives for adult learners.
A Second Chance at Education
Thousands of miles away from Soweto in Indianapolis, Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana found that many of the people who used its job-training services also didn’t have a high school diploma. Back in 2010, the not-for-profit launched a first-of-its-kind free high school just for adults, using per-pupil state money.
The Excel Center offered a flexible schedule as well as free childcare on-site, transportation assistance and access to life coaches. For many who had been marginalized from the traditional opportunities to learn, this groundbreaking approach was a game-changer. A fun, empowering environment is created for adults who are facing unique challenges and have already figured out how to navigate the faster track to a diploma.
Unlocking Lifetime Earnings
A detailed study by researchers at the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) revealed how The Excel Center is making a difference. What they found was astonishing: program graduates saw their earnings rise by almost 40% five years after enrollment, which they calculated would give them some $80,000 more in their pockets over their life than peers who did not enroll.
But the benefits weren’t limited to that. Excel graduates were also more likely to get a job and stay in work than the comparison group with 22% higher continuous employment over five years in the same industry. They were also less likely to be employed in low-wage service sector jobs such as hotel and restaurant work, and more likely to have landed jobs in higher-demand areas like health services, education or HVAC maintenance.
It shows exactly what the program can do on a broader scope. On top of high school diplomas, students also completed industry certifications in Phlebotomy 1 & 2; Child Development Associate 1; and Nursing Assistance. More than 90% have utilized their credential to continue down a different career pathway or further their education in the workplace through local community colleges.
Conclusion
The Excel Center run by Goodwill is a remarkable success, ultimately changing the lives of the adult learners that enroll as well as delivering for the states that fund it. For the high school dropouts who never got that first chance in the first place, The Excel Center is providing a second shot at an education and giving students both the preparation and credentials they need to succeed. As the program continues to grow in reach, so too will its influence—to unleash an avalanche of promise and imagination into the lives of those who seek a way upwards.
