Resources
Leading Systemwide Change: Lessons from Maryland’s Career-Connected Learning Convening
Across Maryland, school and district leaders are advancing a bold vision: implementing Career-Connected Learning (CCL) systems and Six-Year Plans to prepare every learner for success beyond graduation. As with any systems-level change, this work requires more than launching new programs—it calls for a shift in how education systems operate. Read a recap of Maryland’s recent convening and actionable recommendations for leaders implementing systems change in this blog by Brenna Bartlett, Director of Technical Assistance, Advance CTE.
Smarter Systems, Stronger States: Five Smart Opportunities for Building Stronger State Data Systems
An overview of a new report released by Launch, Smarter Systems, Stronger States, which names five smart opportunities that states have to improve upon their current data systems to ensure their capacity and resources are being directed to where they can have the greatest impact. Read more in this blog by Samantha Perez, Ph.D., Associate Director, Education Strategy Group (ESG).
Smarter Systems, Stronger States: Opportunities to Improve State Data Systems Based on Insights and Learning from the Launch Initiative
As part of the early work of Launch, seven site teams completed a data capacity assessment that allowed them to dig deeply into how they currently gather, analyze, and share learner data. In aggregating results across these seven sites, the national partners noted that limitations in available data and/or ineffective data sharing created challenges that hindered the programmatic decision-making necessary to mitigate barriers to access and success learners might experience.
Authored by Education Strategy Group for the Launch Initiative, Smarter Systems, Stronger States highlights the “smart opportunities” states should invest in to improve their data systems and shares examples from Launch work in Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia. This brief includes actionable recommendations and a self-assessment tool to help state leaders
- Strengthen state infrastructure;
- Choose the right tools for data collection and sharing;
- Build state and local expertise and data literacy; and
- Push for quality data collection and reporting beyond compliance.
Navigating the Navigators
Questions State Leaders Must Consider to Solve the Career Advising Puzzle by Lindsey Phillips, Senior Policy Manager, Postsecondary Pathways for Youth, New America.
Reframing the Future of Career Guidance in the Age of AI
The Conversations We Should Be Having Right Now about AI, Advising, and Career Pathways by Jerre Maynor, Senior Director, Solutions Design & Delivery, and Leah Eggers, Director, Jobs for the Future (JFF).
Maryland Leads the Nation with New Career Technical Education Standards Rooted in Rigor, Relevance, and Flexibility
With the Maryland State Board of Education’s (MSBOE) approval of the new Career Technical Education (CTE) course standards, Maryland has set a new benchmark for consistency, rigor, and relevance — not only for its own learners, but for the nation’s CTE landscape. Read more in this blog by Brenna Bartlett, Director of Technical Assistance, Advance CTE.
LAUNCHing the Next Generation of Pathways
Casey Haugner Wrenn, Director at ESG, writes about a two-year technical-assistance deep dive with two states positioned to accelerate their nation-leading pathways work: Tennessee and Colorado. These states are both poised to take their lessons learned from the first phase of Launch into the future we envision for college and career pathways.
Launch States Chart Different Paths to Success
Deep collaboration and a sound strategy are crucial to pathways. Two Launch states, Colorado and North Carolina, have different approaches, but both are paving the path forward.
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