Community Partnerships
This September 2026 publication from the Christensen Institute examines how states can better align K–12 education, higher education, and workforce development to create stronger pathways from education to employment. It explores policy barriers that can prevent institutions and employers from coordinating career-connected learning, including work-based learning opportunities, graduation and college credit requirements, funding structures, and licensure rules.
Drawing on case studies, the publication outlines five priorities for state leaders: establishing a shared vision and data across systems, recognizing learning across different settings, aligning funding with career-connected outcomes, building statewide infrastructure to support local programs, and strengthening demand for career-connected pathways. It offers recommendations to help policymakers, education leaders, and workforce partners build more coordinated systems that respond to students’ needs and regional workforce priorities.
Drawing on case studies, the publication outlines five priorities for state leaders: establishing a shared vision and data across systems, recognizing learning across different settings, aligning funding with career-connected outcomes, building statewide infrastructure to support local programs, and strengthening demand for career-connected pathways. It offers recommendations to help policymakers, education leaders, and workforce partners build more coordinated systems that respond to students’ needs and regional workforce priorities.
In this July 2026 practice brief, Project Evident examines the conditions schools and communities need to provide meaningful career exploration opportunities for middle and high school students.
Drawing on research and input from educators, practitioners, researchers, and education leaders, the brief identifies four key areas for improvement: integrating career exploration with academics, strengthening educator and practitioner capacity, building sustained employer and community partnerships, and aligning funding and accountability with student outcomes. It highlights the need for dedicated staff, professional development, coordination across programs, and better data systems to help schools deliver consistent, high-quality experiences that support students’ career awareness and readiness.
Drawing on research and input from educators, practitioners, researchers, and education leaders, the brief identifies four key areas for improvement: integrating career exploration with academics, strengthening educator and practitioner capacity, building sustained employer and community partnerships, and aligning funding and accountability with student outcomes. It highlights the need for dedicated staff, professional development, coordination across programs, and better data systems to help schools deliver consistent, high-quality experiences that support students’ career awareness and readiness.
Published by Bain & Company, this report examines how career-connected learning can better prepare students for high-demand careers while helping employers build stronger talent pipelines. Drawing on research, employer interviews, and examples from successful initiatives across the country, it outlines strategies for expanding high-quality career-connected learning through stronger partnerships among schools, employers, higher education, and policymakers.
The report highlights the importance of work-based learning, aligned credentials, and coordinated public policy to ensure more students have equitable access to career pathways that lead to long-term economic opportunity.
The report highlights the importance of work-based learning, aligned credentials, and coordinated public policy to ensure more students have equitable access to career pathways that lead to long-term economic opportunity.
Published by Bellwether, this report examines how Colorado, Delaware, Tennessee, and Texas have developed statewide ecosystems that support multiple career-connected learning models. Drawing on policy analysis, document review, and interviews, it identifies the governance structures, cross-sector partnerships, funding strategies, and state policies that enable career academies, CTE, early college, dual enrollment, and youth apprenticeships to grow together rather than in isolation.
The report offers practical lessons and policy recommendations for state leaders seeking to build coordinated, sustainable systems that expand access to high-quality career-connected learning opportunities for all students.
The report offers practical lessons and policy recommendations for state leaders seeking to build coordinated, sustainable systems that expand access to high-quality career-connected learning opportunities for all students.
Examines research on P2C’s career-connected math and career exploration initiatives, revealing program impact on student outcomes
Summarizes SRI’s 7-year evaluation of California’s Linked Learning initiative, highlighting systemic implementation and its impact on student outcomes
Explores how the Youth CareerConnect program improves attendance, credit gains, and readiness through career pathways and partnerships
Highlights how career-connected learning pathways engage students and strengthen outcomes through school-community partnerships
Examines how Colorado schools use career-connected learning and community partnerships to engage students and expand career pathways
Examines how urban universities can collaborate with K–12 schools to create Early College programs that support underserved students and promote college success