NEW SERIES: Pathways Policies That Work
Check out my new series of policy briefs with practical advice for building career pathways
Introducing Pathways Policies That Work
One of the few policy areas that Democrats and Republicans still agree about is career pathways. These programs, usually focused on high school and the years immediately before and after, help connect education and workforce systems to give students the skills they need for good careers and economic mobility. These are not your parents’ vocational-technical programs; they are rigorous programs that prepare students for college and career, and they’re wildly popular with parents and politicians alike.
The issue, though, is how to actually build them.
Fortunately, we’ve learned a lot since I started doing state-level career pathways policy work about a decade ago. That’s why I’m writing a series of policy briefs that explain the concrete, practical steps that policymakers can take to increase economic mobility for young people. It’s called Pathways Policies That Work: Practical Advice for Policymakers. I’ve teamed up with another former state pathways policymaker, Quentin Suffren, to write them.
All the briefs will be posted on Education First’s website. The topics in this series are:
Brief 1: Braiding funding for effective pathways
Brief 2: Recommendations for reauthorizing Perkins and improving federal pathways policy
Brief 3: Expanding effective career pathways models
Brief 4: Pathways to high-wage, high-demand industries in the age of AI
The briefs were generously funded by Arnold Ventures.
Brief 1: Braiding Funding for Effective Career Pathways
The first brief in the series is now live:
Braiding funding is a powerful tool for policymakers hoping to build high-quality career pathways programs in their state. It might sound wonky, but it is often the best answer to the eternal question that sinks so many good policies: "How are you going to pay for that?"
Braiding is essential for career pathways because: (1) it breaks down funding silos, reducing the risk students fall off in the transitions between K12, postsecondary, and the workforce; and (2) it leads to a more efficient use of limited funds for the high cost of career pathways programs.
This brief offers a common set of principles for braiding and action steps that state leaders can take to get started.
Stay tuned for the next brief in the series, coming later this month. It will explore how states can use a brand new federal tax credit to fund career pathways in public schools.