February 23, 2026
Future Plans and Washington State College of Ohio are launching an ambitious effort to expand and reimagine dual enrollment opportunities for high school students across southeast Ohio. This work is made possible through the national Increasing Dual Enrollment Access and Success (IDEAS) initiative, led by Jobs for the Future (JFF) and funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
term economic vitality. Washington State College of Ohio serves communities that have consistently demonstrated a willingness to collaborate, innovate, and rethink traditional education-to-career pathways in order to build a sustainable future for the entire region.
Future Plans’ Role: Technical Assistance That Aligns Systems and Expands Access
In this joint endeavor, Future Plans serves as the Technical Assistance (TA) Facilitator, working alongside Washington State College of Ohio to ensure that strategy, systems, and communication are aligned for impact at scale.
As TA Facilitators, Future Plans will:
- Provide technical assistance and coordination to support implementation of the IDEAS model
- Help align policy, practice, and partnerships across K–12 districts and higher education
- Support clear, consistent communication so students, families, and educators understand available opportunities
- Leverage regional relationships through GRITOhio to ensure solutions are grounded in local context
This role positions Future Plans not just as a program partner, but as a connector and systems builder, helping the region design a model that can be sustained, scaled, and replicated.builder
Why IDEAS Matters for Southeast Ohio
Dual enrollment has long been recognized for improving college readiness, persistence, and credential attainment. Yet access to these opportunities often varies widely across districts, geographies, and resource availability. Programs may be siloed, inconsistently communicated, or difficult for families to navigate.
The IDEAS initiative directly addresses these challenges by helping states and regions build dual-enrollment hubs—centralized systems embedded in community colleges that streamline access to courses, advising, and cross-sector coordination.
For southeast Ohio, this work is especially significant. Rural communities are too often treated as followers rather than leaders in education innovation. This partnership challenges that narrative by positioning the region as a testing ground for a new, more equitable model—one that reflects local strengths and addresses real workforce needs.
Building Momentum Through Clear Pathways
A core element of the IDEAS model is ensuring that participating students have access to at least 12 transferable college credit hours, aligned with meaningful programs of study.
This approach helps students:
- Graduate from high school with tangible college progress
- Reduce the cost and time required to complete a degree or credential
- Navigate clearer pathways into Ohio’s postsecondary and workforce systems
By pairing this structure with the Future Plans 5-step approach, students are not just earning credits — they are building intentional, informed pathways that connect learning to long-term goals.
Strengthening Partnerships Across Education Systems
Another defining feature of IDEAS is its emphasis on durable, cross-sector partnerships between K–12 districts and community colleges. The model supports shared agreements, instructional staffing plans, and coordinated advising systems that create consistent student experience across regions.
For southeast Ohio, this means improved alignment among institutions that have traditionally operated independently. The result is stronger communication, greater efficiency, and a system better designed to support students — particularly those in smaller or under resourced districts.resourced districts.
A Regional Blueprint with Statewide Potential
While Future Plans and Washington State College of Ohio are the first institutions in the state to participate in IDEAS, the initiative is designed to grow. Over time, Ohio may expand participation to additional community colleges, deepen policy alignment, and build regional hub networks that serve students statewide.
Early evidence from other states indicates that the hub model can significantly expand access to dual enrollment—especially for students who have historically been excluded from these opportunities.
Looking Ahead
For Future Plans, this partnership represents more than a grant or a pilot. It is an opportunity to help spearhead this initiative in other communities in Ohio and beyond, demonstrating how community-driven collaboration, student-centered planning, and aligned systems can address both educational access and workforce demand.
By combining Washington State College of Ohio’s regional leadership with Future Plans’ expertise as TA Facilitators and the trusted presence of GRITOhio, this work aims to create a new blueprint for expanding opportunity — one that starts locally and has the potential to shape the future of dual enrollment across Ohio.
