Education Strategy Group

Youth apprenticeship programs offer a powerful means to integrate work-based and academic learning, providing a critical pathway to in-demand careers, particularly for historically marginalized populations. Youth apprenticeship intermediary organizations serve as the connective tissue between education and workforce systems, uniting diverse stakeholders to design and implement effective programs while also working toward a future where youth apprenticeships are more accessible to a broader range of young people. However, different environments at the state and local levels impact intermediaries’ ability to advance and scale youth apprenticeship. After speaking with leaders of these organizations, the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) identified five enabling conditions that most impact intermediary organizations’ ability to support and grow youth apprenticeships in their communities: 1. A supportive policy environment; 2. Partner engagement and collaboration; 3. Existing data systems; 4. Funding availability and flexibility; and 5. The accessibility and connectivity of supportive services. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gafji6Gs New America #NAW2024

Meet our new Chief of Staff, Cristina Marks! Cristina brings a deep expertise in education strategy, policy, and leadership as well as a belief that all students deserve equitable and high-quality learning opportunities. ????Please join us in welcoming Cristina ???? https://lnkd.in/gj4MxHeZ

The aftermath of the pandemic has forced many states and communities to really consider what high school is, and what it could be. This inflection point provides a unique and transformational opportunity to reengage learners, to reinvest in communities, and to reimagine how a diploma can deliver value and opportunity. In his latest piece for Forbes, Matt Gandal explores 3 ideas to make high school more meaningful, including building postsecondary momentum, designing high quality career-connected learning opportunities, and expanding direct admissions. Are there any other promising practices you would include on the list? https://lnkd.in/gXAvugui

What does it look like to create connected opportunities that help young people transition between HS, postsecondary and future economic opportunity? This question drives the work of the Accelerate Ed community, a regional accelerator focused on creating environments that enable young people to attain at least 12 transferable college credits by high school graduation, putting them on the fast track to an Associate degree or beyond in a high-demand career. Earlier this year, four Accelerate Ed teams joined the Getting Smart Podcast to discuss how this work is strengthening communities. Our latest blog rounds up these conversations with Learn to Earn Dayton, EmployIndy, Greater Phoenix Chamber, Massachusetts Alliance for Early College. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gvNVKvbs

“It’s not about what you know, it’s about who you know.” We’ve all heard it before. And while there is truth there, the maxim ignores the fact that unless someone knows HOW to leverage those relationships, "who you know" doesn't actually have much value in the context of navigating the path to a meaningful career. Over the last several years, ESG has been working alongside communities and education leaders to really explore and understand how to deliver meaningful social capital development to students, particularly in communities that often lack the same access to high-value networks and opportunities as their more affluent peers. The ability to cultivate connections is really important, particularly as students navigate an increasingly complex job market post-graduation. But? we have not systematically taught these skills to students and young adults. Too often, we just expect students to figure it out on their own. As part of our “Social Capital and Me” blog series, ESG team members are sharing their own personal reflections—the ups and downs—of navigating this path, in order to illustrate how critical social capital is in the education-to-career journey. Check out the entire series: > Part 1: Social Capital and Me: It’s Not Always What You Know, but Who You Know by Janeva Wilson, M.Ed. https://lnkd.in/gFbuJVW8 > Part 2: Social Capital and Me: A Mid-Career Change Underscores the Value (and Need!) for Social Capital Development by Tina Young https://lnkd.in/gK-ixm9c > Part 3: Social Capital and Me: Making Connections for Students of Color by Joyce Hwang https://lnkd.in/gcPyq56D

Are you in the Big Easy for #Aurora24? Don't miss out on this afternoon's panel where our own Julie Lammers will moderate a discussion with Casey Haugner Wrenn about ASA and Education Strategy Group's analysis on how all 50 states approach and measure success in middle school #careerexploration. Learn more: https://bit.ly/48uEyLn

High school graduation requirements serve as both a signal of readiness and a lever for opening access and opportunity to social and economic mobility. But as job opportunities continue to grow for those with education and training beyond high school, it is imperative that our education system evolves to prepare students not just for graduation, but for meaningful participation in postsecondary education and the workforce. High school is a critical foundation for social and economic mobility, and states bear a responsibility to leverage education as a powerful driver of opportunity. Determining high school graduation requirements is a state responsibility, critical for ensuring a consistent foundation of education across districts. Check out our latest report “Rethinking High School Graduation Requirements.” https://lnkd.in/ggU2-gXp

A growing number of people are understandably interested in shorter-term education and training options; but in an increasingly crowded and complex credential marketplace, how can we help people feel confident that the credentials they earn will deliver real value? Check out Matt Gandal's latest article in Forbes to learn more. #HigherEd #EducationPolicy #Credentials

Are you heading to Minneapolis for the Grantmakers for Education Annual Conference? If so, come and learn from Kenyatta Lovett, Ph.D., Kathleen (Boyle) Mathers, Ahnna Smith, and our amazing partners about exciting work on pathways, social capital, opportunities for adult and working learners, and much more. We hope to see you there!

We're so excited to have three outstanding new team members joining our work to build stronger connections between education and economic opportunity. Welcome to the ESG team Kristi Ransick, Danielle Zaragoza, and Austin Estes!