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Education First is proud to facilitate the Commission on Purposeful Pathways, a time-bound initiative addressing one of education’s most critical challenges: helping all young people successfully transition from high school to fulfilling careers.

Why this matters now

Every high school student should have access to the opportunities they need to design the future they want. When asked, young people say they want to make enough money to live comfortably—they also want to pursue their passions and make a positive impact on the world. Degrees, credentials, and other forms of post-high school education are the most effective ways to reach those goals. The majority of young people see that and aspire to keep learning and working hard to build skills after high school, but all too often the pathways to and through education and on to a career are murky, confusing, or uninspiring.

Because of this, far too many talented, motivated young people are left behind in the transitions from high school to the next phase of their educational journey and on to successful careers. This disconnect leaves tremendous potential untapped and perpetuates inequity across the nation.

This is why it’s so critical that all students have experiences that connect them with purpose, clarity, and opportunity as they make their plans for life after high school. Research has shown what some of those key experiences are: dual enrollment and other opportunities to take college courses early; thoughtful advising that helps students imagine bigger futures; and exposure to real work and careers.

The Charge for the Commission

The Commission on Purposeful Pathways brings together current students, recent graduates and 22 leaders from a range of backgrounds (K12 to higher ed, research to policy, implementation to ideation) to better define and connect those key experiences that empower students to successfully see, understand, and get and stay on great pathways. The Commission will not aim to define what a great pathway is—though this is critical, there are other excellent efforts underway to do so. This effort is focused on clarifying what works to help students themselves gain the skills to evaluate their options, make decisions, and work toward their aspirations.

Co-chaired by Melissa Connelly of OneGoal and Paul Herdman of the Rodel Foundation, the Commission will work from March through November 2025 to develop an agenda-setting report that will:

• Synthesize existing research about the experiences that help students get on and stay on effective pathways, along with common measures of those experiences
• Identify system conditions and practices that need to be in place to deliver these experiences

At the heart of the Commission’s work is a commitment to understanding and addressing student needs. The Commission will examine three areas of impact:

• Advising that helps students explore their aptitudes and aspirations, develop career goals and map the education pathways to achieve those goals, navigate transitions, and build connections with trusted adults
• Accelerated coursework, such as dual enrollment, that is aligned to programs of study, helps students develop a college-going mindset, and yields transferable college credits
• Career-connected learning that provides experiences spanning from career awareness and exploration to preparation and on-the-job training
• And, across all components, how and which experiences can provide students with belonging, purpose, and networks of social capital.

To ensure authentic youth voice informs this work, we partnered with Big Picture Learning (BPL) to engage current students and recent graduates as members of the Commission. BPL will also develop a companion youth engagement playbook highlighting evidence-based practices for student-centered design and decision-making.

The Commission isn’t starting from scratch. It will draw from several evidence-based frameworks and effective initiatives, including New Skills Ready Network from Advance CTE, Pathways to Prosperity and Building Equitable Pathways from JFF, AccelerateED from Education Strategies Group, Golden State Pathways Program in California, Dual Enrollment Equity Pathways (DEEP) from CCRC, among others.

What comes next

The Commission’s work will serve as a foundation for the Pathways Impact Fund—a new national initiative being incubated by StriveTogether in partnership with the Walton Family Foundation and Gates Foundation. This Fund will mobilize increased funding for regional intermediary organizations—beyond funding, it will also help organizations understand and deliver the experiences defined by the Commission, and identify bright spots for further research and support.

We invite you to follow our progress and contribute your insights as we work to ensure that every young person can see and seize opportunities for their future. Stay tuned for updates on our website and LinkedIn as this important work unfolds. For questions about the commission, please reach out to Kelly Kovacic Duran.