New Path Program: Intergeneration Education

Native instructors provide one-on-one instruction at Tulalip Heritage.
Photo credit: Jerry Davis

Launched in 2006 and funded by Lumina Foundation for Education, the New Path is designed to encourage Native adults to attend college courses alongside youth.

From the outset, New Path had five primary goals.

1. Increase access to high education for Native and other underserved groups
2. Improve learning and degree completion
3. Ensure program quality so that classes meet high standards
4. Decrease postsecondary costs for students
5. Address whether the model is replicable

Tribal, high school and college partners work collectively to develop courses to offer the entire community. Students of all ages learn together and are eligible to received college credit for complete new Path courses, many of which are offered onsite at early colleges for Native youth.