Facilitating Long-term Improvements in Graduation and Higher Education for Tomorrow (FLIGHT)

Local governments can invest in this strategy using State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

  • This strategy can help address educational disparities. The U.S. Department of Treasury has indicated that strategies that help achieve this outcome are eligible for the use of Fiscal Recovery Funds.
  • Investments in this strategy are SLFRF-eligible as long as they are made in qualified census tracts or are designed to assist populations or communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Program overview

  • Seeks to keep students on track to graduate from high school and help them apply to and enroll in college
  • Targets at-risk or disadvantaged middle school and high school students
  • Provides individualized case management, mentoring and support services
  • Students meet with a trained volunteer mentor for a minimum of fifteen 30-minute sessions per year, focusing on personal growth and development, academics and career planning
  • Two-year scholarship to college or vocational training

Evidence and impacts

Strong

Ranked as having the second-highest level of evidence by the U.S. Department of Education What Works Clearinghouse

  • Increased college enrollment

Best practices in implementation

  • Note: This content is under review
  • Sharing and disseminating eligibility requirements to qualifying students and families early in the school year can improve recruitment and participation.
  • Partnerships between FLIGHT and community organizations can help recruit volunteer mentors for the program.
  • Programs should target students in schools with higher student-to-guidance-counselor ratios, as these students tend to benefit most from program services. Partnerships with school districts can help program staff target these schools.
Learn more: