How Do You Triple Your University Going Rate in a High Poverty Rural District? - with Dr. Chris Nesmith, Superintendent, Elma School District
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RSS Feed RSS Feed Key Takeaways
- Dr. Chris Nesmith shares how the Elma School District successfully tripled its university going rate from 8% to 24% in a high-poverty rural district.
- The traditional bifurcation separating career-bound students from university-bound students must end to better serve modern learners.
- Higher education institutions need to understand the unique profile of K-12 students who now arrive equipped with both career credentials and university-level academics.
- Rural districts facing high rates of free and reduced lunch can achieve remarkable educational outcomes through innovative leadership and targeted strategies.
It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Chris Nesmith, Superintendent, Elma School District
This episode is brought to you by Beyond Survival: Reporting from the Front Lines of Higher Education’s War for Relevance is a documentary account from the front lines of the most consequential upheaval in higher ed in generations!
This episode is sponsored by the MSCHE 2026 Annual Conference, where we will be podcasting live, keynoting, & facilitating a pre-conference workshop from December 9-11 in Philadelphia!
This episode is also sponsored by the InsightsEDU 2027 Conference - focused on attracting & retaining the modern learner - where we will be podcasting live from February 23-25 in Phoenix, AZ! Use code EDUP & save $100! Early-bird pricing ends December 15, 2026!
YOUR cohost is Andrew Ko, Founder, Kovexa
YOUR host is Elvin Freytes
- How does a rural district with 79% free & reduced lunch go from 8% to 24% university going rate?
- Why does the bifurcation between career kids & university bound kids need to end?
- What should higher ed know about the students K-12 is now sending them with both career credentials & university level academics?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Chris Nesmith on The EdUp Experience?
Dr. Chris Nesmith is the Superintendent of the Elma School District who joined the podcast to discuss rural education innovation.
How much did Elma School District increase its university going rate?
Under Dr. Chris Nesmith's leadership, the Elma School District tripled its university going rate from 8% to 24% in a high-poverty rural district.
What is the focus of the episode featuring Dr. Chris Nesmith?
The episode focuses on transforming rural high-poverty education, eliminating the divide between career and university tracks, and preparing students with both credentials and academics for higher education.
