ESG’s blog is a place to share what we have learned from our projects, our education and leadership experiences, and perspectives on how to improve student success. Expect insightful commentary from the ESG team that highlights promising practices from states and communities, and is designed to make connections and spur deeper conversation. Breaking down barriers and siloes within the nation’s K-12, postsecondary and workforce systems begins with getting everyone talking.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Throughout most of modern history, college admissions processes have operated as gates by keeping students out. On one side of the gate, a limited resource – seats in a freshman class. On the other side of the gate, an abundant...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
In February 2023, I wrote about ESG’s excitement to be a part of a major new initiative to drive economic development and mobility by expanding educational pathways—Launch. Our excitement was driven by Launch’s uniqueness, which was two-fold: a singular vision...
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The San Francisco Bay Area consistently tops the lists of the “most expensive places to live”, highlighting a grave challenge: full-time employment often fails to provide sufficient income to meet basic needs. This economic disconnect is at the heart of...
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
From Policy to Possibility: Building Pathways That Work Welcome to the Pathways to Purpose series, where we explore the unique pathways that have brought our talented team members to Education Strategy Group. Each post will delve into the experiences, challenges,...
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Interviewing Heather Justice, Leslie Sale and Caroline Turner
Friday, July 18, 2025
From Policy to Possibility: Building Pathways That Work Welcome to the Pathways to Purpose series, where we explore the unique pathways that have brought our talented team members to Education Strategy Group. Each post will delve into the experiences, challenges,...
Thursday, July 17, 2025
For decades, American mathematics education has included a fairly standard and predictable sequence of classes: algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, and maybe eventually calculus. The majority of students have not historically experienced much variation or choice in their math education, and for...
Thursday, July 10, 2025
From Curiosity to Change: Leading through Learning Welcome to the Pathways to Purpose series, where we explore the unique pathways that have brought our talented team members to Education Strategy Group. Each post will delve into the experiences, challenges, and...
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Co-author: Dany Rossman There is a growing demand for career-connected learning in high school; students and their families want authentic experiences that will help them to determine which courses and offerings, when combined together, offer the best path to...
Friday, June 6, 2025
Earlier this month we hosted the first of a series of conversations to showcase how states and systems across the country are grappling with some serious issues plaguing higher education in the U.S., specifically: The demographic cliff that is forcing...
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Co-authored by Adam Lowe Over 200 local, state, and national leaders in the Accelerate ED community gathered in Denver in March to showcase and advance innovative high school-to-college pathways programs. Practitioners from three dozen school districts, community colleges, intermediary organizations...
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Co-author: Danesha Ward