Education Strategy Group’s Post

Here’s to a new chapter(:

Since moving to Milwaukee, I had the chance to attend the MMAC orientation last week, and honestly, I left feeling so hopeful and excited about the future of this city. One thing that really stood out to me during the presentation was their career-based learning initiative. I’ve volunteered with high schools and universities before, and something I’ve seen over and over again is how unprepared a lot of students are when it’s time to enter the workforce. So many of them are still undecided or anxious about what career path to take, and honestly, it’s not their fault. A lot of people across the country are dealing with the effects of poor educational quality. It’s frustrating to hear employers say, “No one wants to work” or “These kids don’t know how to do anything,” when the truth is they don’t know because they weren’t given the right guidance or resources. And let’s be real, everything now is about quick results, but real change takes time. Investing in the workforce of the future isn’t about immediate results—it’s about building something that pays off for years to come. It’s been really great to see Milwaukee push for programs like this. It’s a good reminder that if we really want communities to succeed, we have to make sure everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Feeling really optimistic about what’s to come! #Milwaukee #FutureOfWork #CommunityLeadership #CareerLearning

Kayla Martinez grew up in small-town Roscoe, Texas, where opportunities for young people felt few and far between. The daughter of a mechanic and a nurse, she dreamed of a career in STEM—but finding a future close to home seemed impossible. Then, she found Collegiate Edu-Nation (CEN), a program that offers rural students college courses and hands-on career training, right in their own schools. With CEN’s support, Kayla got on track to earn her associate’s degree by the time she graduates. “Now I can see a real future here,” she says. Across Texas, CEN is helping young people find promising careers in their communities and keep their talents close to home. This work is reshaping towns like Roscoe and offering students a future worth staying for. Learn more about this work: https://lnkd.in/e4SwZp2Y #CareerTraining #STEMEducation #RuralStudents #CareerPathways

I sat down with the FDU Florham Student Government Association earlier this year. An enjoyable experience, as always! As universities, we often talk about improving the "student experience." But what does that really mean? Students have real, tangible, and practical ideas that can make a difference. You just need to give them a platform to share them with you without fear. We can have great programs and fantastic faculty, but... is that all there is to a great university or college experience? What about the little things? The day-to-day things that can make or break a student's time on campus? I left that meeting feeling challenged and so inspired. Higher education is more than classes and grades; it's about growth, preparation for the future, and building a foundation for success. What do you think makes for an amazing university experience? What did you wish you had in college that would have set you up better for your career?

We’re honored to announce the expansion of our Work-Based Learning Program, which began at Marietta High School and is now growing to North Springs High School. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to bridging the gap between education and employment, empowering students with real-world skills and professional opportunities. The program provides paid, hands-on job experience in financial operations, allowing students to gain valuable industry knowledge while building skills for future success. By partnering with North Springs High School, we provide more students with meaningful work experience while supporting their academic and career goals. This expansion demonstrates our dedication to fostering future leaders and strengthening our community. Thank you to everyone who supports this program. Together, we are building brighter futures!👏🏽 #AssociatedCU #ThankYou #FutureLeaders #Students

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee College of Education is on the frontlines to strengthen teaching in Manatee County. The Community Partnership Schools program, which has been at Manatee Elementary since 2020 and at Daughtrey Elementary since fall 2023, has brought, among other services, community health clinics to the two campuses, a food pantry to Manatee Elementary and, from USF, student interns, faculty support and graduate-level teacher leadership academies that support teachers at the two schools to develop the knowledge and skills to serve as campus-level teacher leaders. "A bonus is the many opportunities, like internships and other hands-on training that our participation has created for USF students preparing to enter the teaching profession in Manatee or elsewhere, especially at schools with the greatest needs," said program co-founder Brett Kemper, Sarasota-Manatee regional vice chancellor and vice provost of academic affairs and student success. Read More: https://lnkd.in/eYG6A4NX

💡 Discover how Montana's higher education institutions are responding to the dynamic demands of career readiness and workforce development.

https://lnkd.in/eUR74JpW Do you remember your counselor and what they did for you? Mrs. Rodriguez at Ledyard High School, helped me greatly. Applying and going to Connecticut College was a life changing experience. What I learned there impacted my career forever. How was your experience?  This news may impact the future of our workforce management, the cultures we build in organizations, and how we view “traditional” KSA’s. 

We had a great session #3 with the HYA/Howard University Aspiring Superintendent Academy last evening. We discussed critical issues in the superintendency. We were fortunate to have Dr. Sito Narcisse challenge the class' thinking around issues affecting equity-oriented superintendents. In a divided America, superintendents must navigate collaborating with school boards to address public issues associated with race, wealth, ethnicity, physical ability, language, class, spirituality, geography, education, relationship status, cognitive ability, family structure, gender expression, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, and age. Issues of diversity are complex and governance teams need to spend considerable amounts of time on policy to meet the needs of complicated, complex communities. Unfortunately, many do not have the courage or audacity to address many of these challenges. Results-oriented, audacious governance teams confront complex problems head on to challenge the status quo. If we do not, the racial wealth inequities that are embedded in the fabric of America will persist. Courage + Policy + Implementation + Action + Evaluation =Systemic Change. Those who understand the power they have to create progressive policies, particularly around how resources are distributed can have a tremendous positive impact on historic and systemic inequities. We appreciate Dr. Narcisse's candor and vulnerability in sharing his successes and challenges as the former superintendent in East Baton Rouge School District. In a short time, his team increased access to college credits, expanded CTE opportunities and internships, expanded early learning opportunities, and expanded overall student growth in 90% of schools. Although his time was short, it was impactful. I, for one, respect a short, impactful tenure much more than seeing a decade of mediocracy. We need bold thinking to create the next generation of owners, not workers. We will never change economic outcomes until we get education right for all children. As we look at trend data, economics for people of color have not changed much in generations, regardless of who has been in the White House. We can do better with the right leadership to inspire change in our schools, communities, and country.

TOB 🤝 Willamette Career Academy Team Oregon Build (TOB): A groundbreaking collaboration between education, industry, state, and community sectors to connect youth with high-wage, high-demand careers in construction trades. Lane ESD and Southern Oregon ESD secured over $2.6 million in grant funding from the Oregon Department of Education, provided through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) fund. This funding enables a partnership with the Mid-Willamette Education Consortium to design and pilot TOB. The initiative expands on existing career and technical education (CTE) programs, such as the Mid-Willamette Valley Education Consortium’s Willamette Career Academy, Lane ESD’s Constructing a Brighter Future, and Southern Oregon ESD’s Bus Stop Project. TOB addresses disaster recovery, combats homelessness, and strengthens Oregon communities by teaching essential skills, building homes, and fostering meaningful community connections.