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.
Monday, January 30, 2023
Kelly Grimmer is a mother and current student at North Shore Community College (NSCC) outside of Boston, MA. Kelly’s route to the classroom has not been particularly easy. As a young adult, when she first attempted to enroll in postsecondary...
Monday, November 28, 2022
“I think that the approach of focusing on students—particularly moving them into postsecondary opportunities and career opportunities —is the central piece of what we need to do…in terms of developing our economic opportunities, cultural opportunities, entrepreneurial opportunities.” — Mae Humiston,...
Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Are Texas students prepared for their futures in the workforce? Texas’ Accelerate ED design team is working hard to ensure that the answer to this question is a resounding “yes.”
Thursday, November 17, 2022
In today’s economic reality, a high school diploma is not enough for long-term economic mobility and success. Although the importance of education or training beyond high school has only grown, the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated an...
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
“You cannot tell progress unless you are guided by data… We have data but it is often housed in different locations and not as convenient or accessible to teachers…SCORE is supporting us with a college and career readiness platform for...
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
There are many questions that fill an incoming 9th grader’s mind: What should I wear on the first day of school? Where are my classes? What classes do I need to take? Will I like my teachers? While educators may...
Friday, November 4, 2022
This summer, ESG brought together leaders from five states to strategize on policies and best practices to strengthen high-quality advising efforts for students as they transition from high school into higher education. With the dramatic and disproportionate declines in direct...
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
This fall marked an important personal and professional milestone: a full decade since I founded Education Strategy Group.
Thursday, October 27, 2022
While the United States is more educated than ever, only approximately 25 percent of adults currently received a bachelor’s degree and about half an industry-recognized certification after high school.
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
This past spring, ESG launched a new line of work focused on social capital development. Across the U.S., we are working with different communities to incorporate social capital into their current college and career pathways work. Each community is building...
Monday, September 19, 2022
Advanced courses—including AP, IB, and dual enrollment—offer many benefits to students who enroll. These courses can help students earn postsecondary credit while still in high school, build familiarity with college course requirements, and develop students’ academic skills and confidence. Students...
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
What if every high school student had the chance to take an additional year of courses related to their interests? What if they could earn enough credits to complete their associate degree one year after high school while gaining valuable...