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Compact 2043

Compact 2043 is a citywide commitment to strengthen and expand postsecondary pathways for DC students so that all children born today will graduate from high school prepared for success in higher education and good jobs. 

The Compact is powered by a growing coalition of 30+ nonprofit organizations and government agencies, K-12 and higher education institutions, and employer partners.

DC students graduate high school prepared to enter college and careers By 2043, all graduating public school students in DC will complete at least one OSSE-approved pathway; DC’s graduation rate will be at least 90%; 100% of graduates will have a postsecondary plan Graduates earn postsecondary degrees and credentials that lead to good jobs ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​80% of 2043 DC public school graduates will complete a postsecondary degree or credential of value within six years  DC’s education and workforce system drives economic mobility  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​80% of employed 2043 DC public school graduates will earn a living wage within five years of graduation and 95% will do so within ten years. 

Compact 2043 is anchored around three main goals: 

  1. DC students graduate high school prepared to enter college and careers
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​By 2043, all graduating public school students in DC will complete at least one OSSE-approved pathway; DC’s graduation rate will be at least 90%; 100% of graduates will have a postsecondary plan
  2. Graduates earn postsecondary degrees and credentials that lead to good jobs
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​80% of 2043 DC public school graduates will complete a postsecondary degree or credential of value within six years 
  3. DC’s education and workforce system drives economic mobility 
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​80% of employed 2043 DC public school graduates will earn a living wage within five years of graduation and 95% will do so within ten years. 

The Compact Partners. Agency Partners: SBOE, DCPCSB, DCPS, OSSE, DOES, UDC, WIC. Employe Partners: DC Postsecondary Success Collaborative, DCCAP Scholars, Hire Local DC, DC Students Succeed,DC Charter School Alliance, DC Policy Center, PAVE, Talent for Tomorrow, Cityworks, Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, Federal City Council, Mikva Challenge, Center for Strong Public Schools.

2026 Updates

In 2026, Compact 2043 has focused policy efforts on four main workstreams, with coalition meetings held every other month and asynchronous work during alternating months. Policy papers are in development and will be shared in the fall of 2026.   

The four workstreams are: 

  1. Career Technical Education (CTE) and Advanced Technical Centers: Developing recommendations for the expansion of successful CTE approaches, including the Advanced Technical Centers.  
  2. Advising: Conducting a DC Advising Landscape Scan, developing a shared definition of advising, and laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
  3. Apprenticeships: Building on current apprenticeship models to provide recommendations on how to expand offerings to meet the needs of DC students and young adults. 
  4. Workforce Training Quality and Workforce Pell Grants: Leveraging new Workforce Pell policies to support access to high-quality training opportunities.  

Spotlight on DC’s Pathways Success: 2026 Pathways Showcase  

In May of 2026, 42 national and local leaders toured DC’s Ward 5 Advanced Technical Center (ATC) and Phelps CTE High School, seeing firsthand how DC has innovated and expanded CTE, dual enrollment, apprenticeship, and work-based learning opportunities for public school students over the past five years.  

Compact 2043 documents, including the overview and short-term action plan, are below. For more information on Compact 2043, please join the Compact 2043 Mailing List or contact Clara Botstein, DME Chief of Staff. 

Compact 2043

Compact 2043 Supplemental Deck

More Resources