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Changing the Narrative: New Strategies to Enhance Access to Post-Secondary Education in the Age of Digital Media and Technology. Final Research Report

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Title: Changing the Narrative: New Strategies to Enhance Access to Post-Secondary Education in the Age of Digital Media and Technology. Final Research Report
Language: English
Authors: Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), Central Washington University (CWU)
Source: Washington Student Achievement Council. 2025.
Availability: Washington Student Achievement Council. P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504. Tel: 360-753-7800; E-mail: info@wsac.wa.gov; Web site: http://www.wsac.wa.gov
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 64
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: Lumina Foundation
Document Type: Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Postsecondary Education
High Schools
Secondary Education
Higher Education
Descriptors: Postsecondary Education, Access to Education, School Transition, College Readiness, College Bound Students, Decision Making, Barriers, Student Motivation, Academic Aspiration, Information Seeking, Information Sources, Information Dissemination, Information Technology, High School Students, High School Graduates, Post High School Guidance, College Students, Student Attitudes, First Generation College Students, Underserved Students, Low Income Students, Paying for College, Minority Group Students, Knowledge Level, Usability, Computer Oriented Programs, Student Needs, Student Empowerment, Educational Technology
Geographic Terms: Washington
Abstract: This report summarizes findings from research conducted as part of the "Changing the Narrative" pilot project, which aims to make the college transition easier by developing messaging, media and interactive tools that resonate with prospective students and their families. The project is especially targeted at underrepresented groups in postsecondary education who lack the knowledge, confidence, and networks to effectively navigate key decisions regarding their life after high school. Those groups include for instance first generation students, low-income students and students of color. This report outlines the research-to-product approach used to create the @CollegeToolkit platform, combining social science and user-centered design methods. The research involved two phases and included 102 participants from across Washington state, including students, higher education staff, and postsecondary education access professionals. The first phase, conducted from September to November 2025, focused on understanding the barriers and motivations for college access, particularly among underrepresented groups. This involved a literature review and qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups with 51 participants. The second phase, from February to April 2025, gathered specific feedback from students on the platform's content and design. This included creative testing with 17 students and usability testing with 34 high school and university students to refine the interactive prototypes, ensuring the final platform effectively meets their needs. [This paper was prepared with Sandbox Inc.]
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED677676
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Changing the Narrative: New Strategies to Enhance Access to Post-Secondary Education in the Age of Digital Media and Technology. Final Research Report
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Washington+Student+Achievement+Council+%28WSAC%29%22">Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Central+Washington+University+%28CWU%29%22">Central Washington University (CWU)</searchLink>
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  Data: Washington Student Achievement Council. P.O. Box 43430, Olympia, WA 98504. Tel: 360-753-7800; E-mail: info@wsac.wa.gov; Web site: http://www.wsac.wa.gov
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  Data: 64
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Lumina Foundation
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Washington%22">Washington</searchLink>
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  Data: This report summarizes findings from research conducted as part of the "Changing the Narrative" pilot project, which aims to make the college transition easier by developing messaging, media and interactive tools that resonate with prospective students and their families. The project is especially targeted at underrepresented groups in postsecondary education who lack the knowledge, confidence, and networks to effectively navigate key decisions regarding their life after high school. Those groups include for instance first generation students, low-income students and students of color. This report outlines the research-to-product approach used to create the @CollegeToolkit platform, combining social science and user-centered design methods. The research involved two phases and included 102 participants from across Washington state, including students, higher education staff, and postsecondary education access professionals. The first phase, conducted from September to November 2025, focused on understanding the barriers and motivations for college access, particularly among underrepresented groups. This involved a literature review and qualitative research, including interviews and focus groups with 51 participants. The second phase, from February to April 2025, gathered specific feedback from students on the platform's content and design. This included creative testing with 17 students and usability testing with 34 high school and university students to refine the interactive prototypes, ensuring the final platform effectively meets their needs. [This paper was prepared with Sandbox Inc.]
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 64
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Postsecondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Access to Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Transition
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      – SubjectFull: College Bound Students
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      – SubjectFull: Decision Making
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Student Motivation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Aspiration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information Seeking
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information Sources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information Dissemination
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      – SubjectFull: High School Students
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      – SubjectFull: High School Graduates
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      – SubjectFull: Minority Group Students
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      – SubjectFull: Knowledge Level
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      – SubjectFull: Usability
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      – SubjectFull: Student Empowerment
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