Report on the MSD of Warren Township’s Initiative to Address Declining Higher Education Enrollment

Executive Summary

In response to a significant decline in post-secondary education enrollment in Indiana, the Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Warren Township has launched a strategic initiative funded by a $1.4 million grant from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. This project, centered around a mobile outreach van, directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By removing barriers to college access, the initiative aims to foster equitable educational opportunities and promote long-term community development.

Analysis of the Educational Challenge

Declining Enrollment and its Impact on SDG 4

A persistent trend of declining college enrollment poses a direct challenge to achieving SDG 4 (Quality Education), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all. The data from Indiana highlights the urgency of this issue:

• In Marion County, the rate of high school graduates enrolling in college within one year has fallen from 66% in 2008 to approximately 47%.
• This decline reflects a broader national trend, indicating systemic barriers that prevent youth from pursuing lifelong learning opportunities and acquiring skills for decent work, as outlined in SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Strategic Intervention: The Mobile Outreach Initiative

A Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17)

The project is a prime example of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrating an effective public-private partnership between the MSD of Warren Township and the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. The $1.4 million grant has enabled the creation of a mobile unit designed to deliver critical resources directly to communities.

Core Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The initiative’s primary goals are intrinsically linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

1. Enhance Access to Tertiary Education: By providing direct assistance with financial aid applications (FAFSA) and the college enrollment process, the project directly supports SDG 4, Target 4.3, which aims to ensure equal access to affordable and quality tertiary education.
2. Reduce Systemic Inequalities: The initiative actively works to dismantle barriers such as transportation, cost, and lack of information, which disproportionately affect vulnerable families. This aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by promoting the social and economic inclusion of all community members.
3. Empower Youth and Foster Community Leaders: The program empowers students like Jayce Wells, who aspires to be a positive influence for young Black males in his community. This focus on empowerment contributes to building more inclusive and equitable societies, a core tenet of SDG 10.
4. Promote Economic Mobility: By facilitating access to higher education, the initiative provides a pathway out of poverty and toward better employment, contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

Operational Framework

The mobile outreach van is equipped to function as a mobile college and career readiness center. Its resources are designed to address key obstacles faced by students and their families:

• On-board Wi-Fi and Chromebooks for online applications and research.
• Expert assistance for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Support for navigating the college admissions process.
• Community outreach at local events, such as football games and literacy fairs, to engage parents and families.

Conclusion: Advancing Sustainable Development Through Education

The MSD of Warren Township’s mobile outreach initiative represents a targeted, strategic response to a critical educational challenge. By focusing on removing barriers and providing direct support, the project not only aims to reverse the trend of declining college enrollment but also makes a substantial contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. As stated by Laura Butgereit, Director of College & Career Readiness, the goal is to “help them see themselves in a college setting.” This vision is fundamental to building a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable future for the next generation.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses issues and initiatives that are directly relevant to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on education access, equity, and partnerships connects to the following SDGs:

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The core issue is the “significant drop in graduates pursuing higher education.” The initiative by the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township, which aims to facilitate the college admissions process and increase enrollment, directly supports the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article touches upon inequality by highlighting the barriers faced by families, such as cost and transportation. The initiative’s focus on outreach to community families and the mention by student Jayce Wells of being a positive influence for “young Black males” suggest an effort to address disparities and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to pursue higher education. This aligns with the goal of reducing inequality within and among countries.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly mentions that the initiative is made possible by a “$1.4 million grant from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation” to the “Metropolitan School District of Warren Township.” This collaboration between a public school district and a private foundation is a clear example of a public-private partnership, which is essential for achieving the SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the initiatives and problems described, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.

  The article’s entire focus is on increasing the number of high school graduates who enroll in college. The mobile outreach van’s purpose is to “facilitate the college admissions process” and help with “financial aid applications, including FAFSA.” This directly addresses the accessibility and affordability of tertiary education.

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

  The initiative aims to “remove barriers of cost and transportation for our families,” which promotes inclusion for those with economic disadvantages. The statement from Jayce Wells about wanting to be a “change in my community” and an influence for “young Black males” points to the goal of empowering specific racial and community groups through educational opportunities.

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

  The funding mechanism for the outreach van is a partnership between the public MSD of Warren Township and the private Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. The article highlights this collaboration as the key enabler of the project, demonstrating an effective partnership to achieve educational goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to track progress:

• Indicator for Target 4.3:

  The article provides a direct quantitative indicator: the percentage of high school graduates enrolled in college within a year of receiving their diplomas. It gives a baseline figure for Marion County, stating that the rate is “about 47%… down from about 66% in 2008.” Progress for the initiative can be measured by tracking the change in this percentage for graduates of Warren Township high schools.

• Indicator for Target 10.2:

  While not stated explicitly, an indicator is implied: the college enrollment rate disaggregated by demographic and socio-economic groups. The focus on removing cost barriers and the specific mention of “young Black males” imply that success could be measured by an increase in college enrollment among students from low-income families and specific racial groups within the school district.

• Indicator for Target 17.17:

  The article provides a clear financial indicator for this partnership: the amount of funding committed to the public-private partnership. The text specifies this amount as a “$1.4 million grant,” which serves as a concrete measure of the resources mobilized through the partnership.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wrtv.com