WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a triumphant announcement at the White House, Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, alongside the U.S. Department of Education, AmeriCorps, and the Everyone Graduates Center at Johns Hopkins University, declared that the National Partnership for Student Success (NPSS) has exceeded its ambitious recruitment target. Initially set by President Biden to enlist 250,000 adults by summer 2025 into vital student support roles, the initiative has already engaged over 320,000 individuals by the end of the 2023-2024 academic year, surpassing expectations a year early.
This recruitment surge places a significant number of tutors, mentors, student success coaches, postsecondary transition coaches, and wraparound support coordinators within educational settings, directly contributing to students’ academic success and overall well-being. “Since Day One, President Biden and Vice President Harris have been laser focused on ensuring the academic success of every student,” remarked Tanden, highlighting the Administration’s commitment to education through substantial investments like the American Rescue Plan.
The NPSS, a collaborative effort launched in 2022, aims to address the educational gaps exacerbated by the pandemic. By harnessing the collective efforts of public and private entities, including more than 200 youth-serving organizations and educational institutions, the partnership endeavors to provide evidence-based, high-impact student supports.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona praised the initiative’s success, noting, “When young people have trusted adults who they can count on in their life, they’re more likely to do better in school.” The substantial increase in adult involvement offers critical mentorship and support, essential for students’ academic recovery and mental health improvement.
Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, emphasized the broader significance of the initiative, stating that the participating individuals are not only tackling educational disparities but also reinforcing the resilience and dedication inherent in American communities.
The NPSS’s achievements are further supported by data from the Everyone Graduates Center, which reports that during the 2023-24 school year alone, 136,000 adults engaged in roles such as tutoring and mentoring. This builds on the prior year’s addition of 187,000 participants, showcasing the robust response to the Administration’s call to action.
Looking forward, the NPSS is set to continue its momentum through several initiatives. The NPSS Support Hub at Johns Hopkins has launched a new microgrant cycle, funded by the Leon Lowenstein Foundation, to support community-based projects aimed at enhancing student support services. Additionally, the National Student Support Accelerator has introduced a new tool for evaluating and improving tutoring programs, while City Year has published a coaching playbook to assist districts in implementing student success strategies.
These efforts, coupled with the planned publication of a training resource library by the NPSS Support Hub, aim to solidify and expand the framework of student support across the nation. The NPSS remains committed to fostering environments where students can thrive academically and personally, with continued backing from a diverse coalition of stakeholders dedicated to educational excellence.
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