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, April 2, 2026
When my daughter, Ayanna, turned 14 and finished middle school last summer, I signed her up for a career exploration summer camp against her will. Yup, that’s right. I was a mom on a mission. My creative, hands-on kid who...
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Over the past few months, ESG has tested out a new approach to user-centered design: putting the process of creating tools and resources in the hands of those who will use them. From the start of the Accelerate ED initiative...
Thursday, January 8, 2026
2025 marked a year of profound change to the national education system. The redistribution of key Department of Education functions to different federal agencies has been described as an effort to give greater agency and more resources back to states....
Thursday, December 18, 2025
As efforts to build clearer pathways from education into the workforce take root across the country, some leaders are finding that this work is best accomplished at the regional level. Collaborating as a region can be the “sweet spot” for...
Friday, December 5, 2025
This is the third post in our “Building Gateways Through Admissions Redesign” series. Please make sure to also check out our recent spotlights on Washington and Tennessee.
Monday, November 17, 2025
In 2025, Lumina Foundation set an ambitious goal: by 2040, 75 percent of adults in the U.S. labor force will hold a college degree or other credential of value leading to economic prosperity. Subsequently, the organization launched FutureReady States. This...
Thursday, October 30, 2025
This is the second post in our “Building Gateways Through Admissions Redesign” series. Please make sure to also check out our recent spotlight on Washington.
Monday, October 20, 2025
“My biggest learning has been the power of connecting across states to anticipate and prepare for emerging political and policy shifts. Through this network, I’ve been able to both share my experience and learn from peers navigating similar challenges. These...
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Throughout most of modern history, college admissions processes have operated as gates by keeping students out. On one side of the gate, a limited resource – seats in a freshman class. On the other side of the gate, an abundant...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
In February 2023, I wrote about ESG’s excitement to be a part of a major new initiative to drive economic development and mobility by expanding educational pathways—Launch. Our excitement was driven by Launch’s uniqueness, which was two-fold: a singular vision...
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The San Francisco Bay Area consistently tops the lists of the “most expensive places to live”, highlighting a grave challenge: full-time employment often fails to provide sufficient income to meet basic needs. This economic disconnect is at the heart of...
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
From Policy to Possibility: Building Pathways That Work Welcome to the Pathways to Purpose series, where we explore the unique pathways that have brought our talented team members to Education Strategy Group. Each post will delve into the experiences, challenges,...