we drive results

StriveTogether supports communities to eliminate disparities and change the outcome.

THEORY OF ACTION

guiding framework

Continually evolving with lessons from network members, the StriveTogether Theory of Action™ supports communities building the civic infrastructure necessary to transform the systems that shape opportunity.

Our theory of action provides progressive milestones rather than a prescription for change, which allows local context to guide the framework. The milestones inform necessary collaboration of cross-sector leaders from systems like education, housing, health care and more to get better results for youth and families.

We have partnered with Equal Measure since 2015 to evaluate the impact of our guiding framework. By following the progress of 14 communities using the theory of action for three years, Equal Measure determined the StriveTogether framework is making a positive difference. The study provided insights and validated that communities embracing the theory of action are making measurable progress improving outcomes.

our framework

PRINCIPLES

  • Racial and economic equity:
    When a community commits to creating more equitable systems, Black, Indigenous, Latine and Asian youth and families and those experiencing poverty have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, cradle to career. Partnerships prioritize equity in every aspect of their work — including how they work — by identifying and addressing systemic inequities and opportunity gaps to achieve equitable outcomes.
  • Community engagement and local context:
    Including those most impacted by inequitable systems and accounting for unique community strengths is essential for necessary changes to occur. Partnerships engage a broad array of community voices through building awareness and information sharing; involving and mobilizing the community toward improvement; and co-developing solutions and strategies with community members.
  • Outcomes-focused systems approach:
    A systems approach seeks to change the community conditions that inhibit equitable cradle-to-career outcomes and economic mobility. By shifting policies, practices, resources and power structures, partnerships create the conditions where all children and youth can thrive.
  • Public sector adoption:
    Public sector adoption emphasizes the active involvement and commitment of public entities in the planning, implementation and support of partnership efforts. It involves leveraging public resources and policies to address community challenges and acknowledges the public sector’s unique capacity to transform systems.

FOUR PILLARS

shared community vision
evidence-based decision making
collaborative action
investment & sustainability

SEVEN CRADLE-TO-CAREER OUTCOMES

StriveTogether communities monitor seven population-level outcomes: kindergarten readiness, early grade reading, middle grade math, high school graduation, postsecondary enrollment, postsecondary completion and employment.

Click on each icon below to download a data guide for each outcome.

what does this look like in communities?

Cradle to Career Network communities are making progress along the StriveTogether Theory of Action™. In these stories, see how using this framework is improving cradle-to-career outcomes for Black, Indigenous, Latine and Asian youth and youth experiencing poverty.

DOWNLOAD THE LEARNING MAP