A teacher sits at a table with two young boys who have literacy workbooks in front of them.

Early Grade Reading: Cradle to Career Network members across the country are unlocking future success

Across the country, communities in the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network are working to put more young people on a path to economic mobility by addressing barriers to equitable outcomes. StriveTogether’s seven cradle-to-career outcome areas are critical milestones that shape a child’s educational journey and future success. Each post in this series will provide an…

Four high school graduates sit in a row, smiling at the camera. They're wearing green caps and gowns.

Three keys to improving postsecondary and workforce outcomes for youth

Across the country, members of the Cradle to Career Network are working to reduce barriers to postsecondary success for students in their communities. Here are three insights into how they’re getting results: Make data accessible and actionable. Using data to make informed decisions and improve strategies is critical to getting better outcomes for students. Cradle…

The network effect in action: Building pathways for postsecondary and employment success

The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network has a clear vision – every child and young person should have a pathway to economic mobility. The seven outcomes we pursue are the milestones that make up that pathway. A growing body of research supports the notion that outcome improvements in postsecondary enrollment, postsecondary completion and employment are…

Research reveals collective impact improves postsecondary outcomes

This guest blog was written by Rebecca Parshall, Ph.D., director of strategy at Learn4Life. In it, Parshall shares research she did during her dissertation, focused on how collective impact can improve education outcomes. Hard questions As we are inundated with study after study describing the pandemic’s devastating impact on learning, it is important to ground…

Reimagining philanthropy to get better results

Improving economic and social mobility in our communities is complex work and cannot happen in a vacuum. As the philanthropic sector continues to grapple with the best way to address these layered challenges, the default is often a siloed approach that provides restricted programmatic support to generate outputs rather than a broader collaborative approach to…

Community commitment leads to impact in Northfield, Minn.

In Northfield, Minn., the community is reaching goals for kids and families by working better together as individuals, organizations and systems. StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network member Northfield Promise supports the community to collaborate to improve milestones like kindergarten readiness and third-grade reading. With a focus on a shared vision and results, Northfield Promise has…

UP Partnership reaches proof point through community collaboration and data use

StriveTogether is excited to congratulate Cradle to Career Network member UP Partnership in San Antonio, Texas, for reaching proof point, an important milestone of progress along the StriveTogether Theory of ActionTM. Reaching proof point recognizes communitywide efforts to change systems and improve outcomes for children. UP Partnership has been a leader for systems change in…

The Road Map Project reaches proof point with heightened focus on equity, data and community voice

In King County, Wash., the Road Map Project supports community partners to collaborate toward a shared vision: success for every child in the community. The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network member has created a culture of committing to racial equity, using data to make decisions and engaging the community — efforts that have led to…

Spartanburg Academic Movement earns proof point through shared community vision

StriveTogether is excited to announce that Cradle to Career Network member Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM) in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, has achieved the Network’s highest designation of proof point. SAM has aligned school districts, community organizations, the chamber of commerce and policymakers around a cradle-to-career vision. The partnership supported seven school districts to use continuous…

Seeding Success reaches proof point through community collaboration and data use

StriveTogether is excited to congratulate Cradle to Career Network member Seeding Success in Shelby County, Tenn., for achieving the Network’s highest designation of proof point. Reaching proof point recognizes communitywide efforts to change systems and improve outcomes for children. Seeding Success has demonstrated a strong commitment to using data in decision-making, building the capabilities of…