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.
Thursday, March 16, 2023
As the variety of postsecondary pathways available to students has grown, the need to provide students and their families with clear, comprehensive information on those options and how to navigate them has grown more urgent. There is a real opportunity...
Monday, March 13, 2023
At ESG, we understand and value that education efforts to better support students on their path to prosperous futures should consider thoughts and suggestions from students themselves on the ways they can best be served. That’s why we strive to...
Monday, March 6, 2023
Last May, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the 12 cross-sector design teams who had been selected to receive grants of $175,000 to participate in a nine-month design sprint, during which they would build a plan to scale accelerated...
Thursday, February 23, 2023
By Annie Phillips and Kanler Cumbass While the concept of credential “stackability” has long been touted as a strategy to promote economic mobility, the reality has not yet matched the promise. Much has been written about stackability, but studies of its...
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
ESG is excited to be part of a major new initiative to drive economic development and mobility by expanding educational pathways—Launch: Equitable & Accelerated Pathways for All. Make sure to check out the press release and the new Launch website...
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...