From High School to Higher Ed: Closing Knowledge Gaps Together

Summary: Many students feel ready for college, but knowledge gaps often hold them back. A strong K-12 and higher ed partnership can bridge this divide. Learn how collaboration, innovative tools, and targeted support can set students up for success. 

Bridging the Divide  

Remember heading off to your postsecondary adventure for the first time?   

Emotionally, the prospects of starting a new chapter in higher education after graduating high school engender a mixed bag: exhilaration, hope, stimulation, giddiness even. Sometimes, there’s a bit of anxiety about the financial burden. Other times, euphoria is tempered by the thought of a heavy academic workload.  

Academically, students feel ready. Despite that students believe they’re prepared for higher-level learning, studies indicate they most certainly are not. A recent Lincoln Learning Solutions’ survey of higher education professionals in leadership roles reveals that the highest hurdle for half their students when transitioning to postsecondary education is the elevated level of academics. About 30% of faculty said their students would benefit from revisiting high school material.  

These revelations are reflected in steeply declining ACT scores that, in 2023, were at a 32-year low. Scores show only a little more than 20% of test takers met benchmarks in core subjects. 

These knowledge gaps stem from a variety of factors.   

Sadly, zip codes still wield a crazy amount of power. It’s hard to imagine that where you live dictates the caliber of your educational journey. Yet, extensive research demonstrates conclusively that where children reside, a defining factor of their social class is one of the most significant predictors of their educational success. Add that to post-pandemic learning loss, inconsistent academic preparedness, and differences in instructional approaches between K-12 and higher education. This is not a promising equation.  

We also see an increasing number of first-generation college students. Yes, this is a boon for cultural enrichment on campuses, but it also presents difficulties because many first-generation students are from historically underrepresented groups, including low-income families and minority communities. 

The implications are substantial. Not only do struggling students require foundational coursework, but they also face higher dropout risks and decreased confidence in their ability to succeed.  

Understanding Knowledge Gaps  

We wanted to understand these gaps at a granular level to determine the keys to student success. So, we gathered a representative group of higher education professionals who serve as ambassadors for the many facets of university life. More than a third of faculty who participated said a quarter to half of their students need a better grasp on high school material. An overwhelming number of respondents said students need additional academic support in math and language arts. Poor study skills also ranked high among incoming students’ deficits.  

While an array of challenges contributes to knowledge gaps, academic preparedness, inadequate study habits, and anxiety about not fitting in rank high in the opinion of college and university professionals.   

Academic preparedness  
Many incoming college students lack academic preparedness. High school courses that may not align with college expectations, particularly in critical thinking, writing, and advanced subject matters, contribute to deficient foundational skills in math, writing, and analytical thinking. Often, high school students avoid or are deprived of exposure to a rigorous curriculum, thwarting their ability to think independently. The reality of the college experience precludes parents from intervening and professors from giving second chances. Students are on their own.   

Time management and study habits  
The self-led nature of higher education poses a big adjustment for students who are used to structured K-12 environments. Students must independently plan, monitor, and execute their learning once they get to college. Effective learning approaches are essential for academic achievement, yet many students struggle to develop strategies that are optimal, such as practice testing and often fall back on old habits like re-reading.  

Sense of belonging  
Any student stepping foot into a new community naturally needs time to adapt and gain a comfort level. It’s scary to be out on your own for the first time. Once-connected high school students may shy away from clubs or activities when they reach college where they are without friends by their side in unfamiliar familiar surroundings. First-generation students often feel disconnected because they don’t have a family role model. Being the first to do anything and stepping out of your comfort zone are scary propositions.   

These challenges lead to high remediation rates and lower persistence, retention, and success in higher education. Imagine the benefits if we would only devote a team responsible solely for hosting events to connect and engage students with the campus and their peers. Dedicated support services, orientations, robust curricular and cocurricular opportunities, and academic engagement are needed pillars for these fresh faces, along with caring adult mentors. We must bolster these kinds of initiatives to support student success.  

Collaboration is Key: Building a Bridge Together  

The best way to begin making headway in this arena is to encourage a strong collaboration between K-12 and higher education institutions. By sharing insights, aligning curricula, and implementing targeted interventions, we can help bridge gaps and ensure students are truly ready for the next step in their educational journey. Simply sitting around the table with one another is a great first step.  

What K-12 Can Learn from Higher Ed  
The higher education experience helps us understand more intimately the skills students are lacking when they arrive, giving K-12 educators guidance to improve student success.

Encouraging independent learning, critical thinking, and research skills, in addition to providing a foundation for discerning between legitimate and untrustworthy sources, are all essential to strengthening study habits.  

Offering a rigorous curriculum that applies real-world scenarios, uses open-ended questions, and employs differentiated learning opportunities while encouraging collaboration and reflection can buttress students’ confidence and proficiency in core subjects. Likewise, surrounding students with adults and peers who build and support their college-going aspirations builds confidence and arms students with a sense of belonging.  

How Higher Ed Can Support K-12 
Participants in our own survey indicated a strong inclination for higher education to share its first-year general education learning outcomes with high schools to provide a basis for them to more closely align coursework. They also felt data sharing on student readiness would go a long way toward helping K-12 educators tailor their instruction to higher ed expectations. 

Higher education should also provide high school students access to mentoring, advising, career-connected learning, and early credential attainment, according to the Gates Foundation, in addition to ramping up access to dual enrollment, which closes equity gaps and helps students from low-income backgrounds save time and money.  

Employing Smart Tools

Collaboration between K-12 and higher ed can make a measurable impact. As was underscored in our recent survey, transitional and academic support programs are vital for students to be successful.  

The Lincoln Content Bank is emerging as a tool to support these efforts. The multi-modal, educational content library equips educators with a vast selection of rigorous learning assets they can retrieve, configure, and assemble to meet their students' needs. The repository empowers educators to create customized lessons aligned with individual learning styles. Using its advanced search features, they can easily access high school and introductory college-level content by filtering through keywords, subjects, or academic challenges, ensuring students build the foundational skills necessary for success. Several educational institutions are leveraging the tool as they strive to support students in one interoperable platform. 

For example, at a community college in Texas, the faculty is using the Lincoln Content Bank to create ramp modules in their nursing courses. These modules are designed to support first-generation students and those whose first language is not English, helping them build foundational knowledge before diving into their nursing program. By providing engaging and relatable educational materials, the pilot program aims to increase student success and retention rates in a demanding field. 

In another application, the Joint Apprentice Training Committee of Greater Boston, is leveraging these tools to assist apprentices who need to sharpen their math skills. By mapping Lincoln Learning’s content to specific questions in their math assessments, JATC has created a targeted course. This initiative ensures that apprentices receive the support they need to confidently progress in their training programs.   

The Next Step  

Students don’t have to navigate the daunting leap from high school to higher education alone. With targeted support, thoughtful curriculum alignment, and innovative resources like the Lincoln Content Bank, we can empower students to take ownership of their learning and effectively bridge knowledge gaps.

When we bridge knowledge gaps, we’re not just helping students succeed academically — we’re advancing equity and expanding access. By ensuring that all students, regardless of background, are equipped with the tools and support they need, we’re creating a more inclusive and empowered educational ecosystem. The work begins with us. The time to act is now.