Education Strategy Group

Amidst rapid economic shifts and ongoing debates about the value of college, a group of forward-looking states is starting to rewire higher education for what comes next. In his latest Forbes article, our President & CEO Matt Gandal spotlights how leading states are aligning postsecondary systems with workforce demand—breaking down silos between higher education, workforce, and economic development to better serve learners and employers alike. ESG is proud to support this work through the Opportunity Alliance: a coalition of states committed to positioning higher education as a core driver of talent and prosperity. This is about more than incremental change. It’s about building a new model—one that prioritizes value, embraces innovation, and ensures every learner is prepared for a rapidly evolving economy. If you’re interested in where higher education is headed—and how states can lead the way—this is a must-read. https://lnkd.in/emmj7_x7 Indiana Commission for Higher Education • Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) • Louisiana Board of Regents • Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development • The State University of New York • Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner • Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)

OPINION by Elizabeth Martinez & Dr. Michael Deuser: In partnership with Education Strategy Group, Making Waves Academy — a public charter school in the Bay Area’s Richmond — has been exploring this gap and asking: How can we evolve from a “college for all” model to one that prioritizes students’ thriving in the world of work? We hope the lessons we have learned can serve as guideposts for other schools and systems looking to make a similar evolution. For meaningful change to happen, invest time listening to students and alumni through conversations, focus groups and surveys. What educational and career experiences are most meaningful? Where do they wish there was more support?  We heard from students and graduates that they wished they had had exposure to career opportunities earlier in their educational journey.  Some students said they focused on academics and didn’t fully realize the importance of internships. They shared a desire to learn skills like leadership, communication, financial literacy and networking. And we heard about their desire for mentorship from professionals and employers in their desired career path. The insights from students matched what we were seeing in the data. Read more: https://lnkd.in/er_uWGKn

How can more K-12 schools shift from a “college for all” mindset to a “college AND career for all” approach? At a time when the connection between education and the workforce is more critical than ever, this new piece from Dr. Michael Deuser and Elizabeth Martinez in EdSource highlights how innovative charter leaders are tackling this question and rethinking how to best serve their students. ESG was proud to support the Making Waves Academy and Making Waves Education Foundation team in this important evolution, helping to advance more connected, career-aligned pathways for students. https://lnkd.in/er_uWGKn

High school is too late to start the career conversation. This Middle Level Education Month (#MLEM), let's reevaluate when career exploration should begin: in middle school. 👇 Check out the latest article from our President & CEO, Julie Lammers, to learn more about dives into Education Strategy Group and Britebound's Middle School Career Exploration Impact & Learning Network. Don't forget to keep an eye on our page for more info about this initiative in the coming weeks! 👀

Making Waves Academy has been asking an important question: “How can we evolve from a ‘college for all’ model to one that prioritizes students’ thriving in the world of work?” Shout-out to the amazing Elizabeth Martinez from Making Waves Academy and Dr. Michael Deuser from Education Strategy Group for their EdSource piece about their exploration of this question and the lessons they've learned. Highlights: - Invest time listening to students and alumni - Design career-connected learning at the intersection of labor market demand and student interest - Create the conditions for teachers and staff to shape the vision and strategy - Partner with an intermediary to build the capacity to collaborate across K12, higher ed, and workforce Check out their article below in the comments.

🎬That’s a wrap on the final Accelerate ED community convening! We’ve spent the past few days with a powerhouse group of over 300 leaders representing 48 communities and 21 states, all pursuing a common, urgent mission: to build and expand seamless pathways to opportunity for every student. The ESG team is proud and grateful to have stewarded this community over the past four years thanks to the generous support and partnership of the Gates Foundation. As we look back on this journey, we are incredibly proud of the commitment, innovation, and collaborative spirit that each and every community member has brought to this work. The strength of this community has been the relationships and connections that have truly deepened the impact. These leaders have worked tirelessly to break down silos between K-12, higher ed, and the workforce to ensure that a student’s zip code or circumstance doesn’t determine their destiny. Even as this chapter concludes, the momentum continues to grow. We are excited to see this vital work evolve into the Pathways Impact Collaborative, housed at StriveTogether. Innovative leaders from across the country will continue their unwavering commitment to students and their pursuit of the day when every student can say: "I know who I am; I know where I'm going; and I know who can help me get there."

Next up in our Accelerate ED student voice series: meet Donovan, an accounting student who got a head start toward his future through Vermont's Free Degree Promise program. Hear from Donovan and leaders from the J. Warren and Lois McClure Foundation and Community College of Vermont about how Vermont has been working to expand pathways into in-demand careers in the state. https://lnkd.in/e-ykPUyr

Youth apprenticeships shouldn't be an "extra" to a student's education—they should be a core part of it. 🎓💼 In a new report published with Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA), we dive into why integrating youth apprenticeships into high school pathways is essential for student success and regional economic growth. A new piece from Caroline Turner via The Thomas B. Fordham Institute highlights key strategies for making these connections a reality. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e_9VF25H

🚨 Resource Alert 🚨 In partnership with the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA), Launch partner Education Strategy Group released Connected By Design, a new report exploring how states and districts can intentionally weave youth apprenticeship into the fabric of high school pathways. When these programs are moved from the periphery to the center of a student's journey, we allow classroom learning and on-the-job training to reinforce one another—resulting in students who graduate with diplomas, credentials, and a massive head start on their futures. The report outlines four pillars for leaders to move from "isolated programs" to "integrated pathways," including - governance - flexible program design - policy alignment - scalable resources Read the full report here:  https://lnkd.in/emRG_e4c

The most forward-thinking districts and colleges are no longer asking IF they should evolve to address AI, but HOW QUICKLY they can adapt to support student success. The latest piece in Forbes from our President & CEO Matt Gandal elevates insights from what we're learning in our work as schools and colleges work to better prepare students for rapidly-shifting economic realities. As we support leaders in navigating this transition, one thing is clear: when it comes to AI, more of our educational institutions need to make the shift from "protection" to "preparation." Through our partnerships, we’re learning that: 💥 Demand is already shifting: Employers in a wide range of sectors are already looking for AI-fluent talent, and they're looking for that talent now 💥 Alignment is key: Programs and pathways must reflect the real-world AI competencies that employers are now demanding. 💥 The pivot is possible: We are seeing strong early examples of movement from AI-skepticism to AI-integration to better prepare students for the modern workforce. Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/eHWxYt39