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.
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
By 2031, at least 70 percent of working-age people in the U.S. will need a degree or other quality credential beyond high school to fulfill labor market needs. That’s 16 percentage points higher than our current postsecondary attainment rate, meaning...
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
At ESG, we recognize the profound value of work-based learning for both professional and personal development. Studies prove that paid internships are linked to many positive benefits for students, including having higher-paying jobs after graduation and an increased confidence that...
Thursday, June 20, 2024
2024 has brought some good news—and real momentum—for accelerated pathways programs at state houses across the country.
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Accelerated pathways opportunities are becoming increasingly available to today’s high school students – which is good news for both students and their communities. High schools, colleges, and employers are regularly working together to connect students to meaningful postsecondary credentials and...
Monday, May 13, 2024
“I feel like there aren’t enough [opportunities to learn about careers in school]. I feel like we need more time to do it. Because it’s once a year and you get a five-day unit about what you want to do....
Monday, April 29, 2024
Brandon Bond was set to become the first member of his family to attend college. By the time he walked across his high school graduation stage, he was already looking forward to studying at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (U-M)....
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Co-Authored by Janice Le, Danesha Ward, and Erin Workman Over the past several decades, we have seen growing energy and emphasis put on building accountability into our education systems; yet, one metric is often deemphasized, or overlooked altogether: how prepared...
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
As 2023 comes to a close, efforts to expand accelerated pathways for high school students are gaining momentum across the country and innovative partnerships are establishing clearer routes between education and high-quality jobs. High schools, colleges, and employers are strengthening...
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
As education leaders across the country have worked to increase postsecondary attainment in pursuit of a strong workforce and vibrant economy, many have realized that a focus on better serving adult learners of color must be central to those efforts.
Friday, October 20, 2023
Traditional college admissions processes have been a barrier for too many students in accessing higher education; but innovative admissions processes are beginning to demonstrate an ability to reverse racial inequities in college access and mitigate enrollment declines — two issues...
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Since its founding more than 40 years ago, the Woodward Hines Education Foundation (WHEF) has been steadfast in its commitment to transforming postsecondary outcomes for students and families all across Mississippi. Building on its early work as a small startup...
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Co-Authored by Oreyane Tate In 2023, the connection between education and economic mobility could not be more evident. Simply put: a high school diploma or its equivalent is no longer enough to compete in our evolving economy. Data from the...