The need to dramatically increase the number of young people who gain the credentials and skills necessary to succeed in 21st century America has never been clearer. One of the most promising ideas for achieving this goal is to establish "multiple pathways" for learners that lead to a variety of high-quality postsecondary options. As New England examines recent trends and indicators in postsecondary education, it is an appropriate time to take stock of the prospects for the multiple pathways approach and consider the issues that arise as policymakers, educational institutions and communities look at ways to broaden educational opportunities for learners. The underlying premise of the multiple pathways idea is that by offering a wider variety of high-quality learning options--in settings that include colleges, community organizations and workplaces--there will be an increase in the number of students, especially those from low-income families, who are prepared for careers, citizenship and continued learning. In this article, the authors offer a typology of pathway options. (Contains 1 table.)