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Workforce Development

While the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act plays a role in workforce development, state policymakers actively seek ways beyond WIOA requirements to connect education with workforce and economic development efforts in their states. To achieve this, states adopt policies to connect education, postsecondary attainment and economic development with state workforce development.

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Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

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Policy Brief

Governors’ Top Education Priorities in 2026 State of the State Addresses

State of the State addresses offer new and incumbent governors a platform to elevate their priorities and successes. Since 2005, we’ve tracked, analyzed and identified education policy trends in these […]

Sustaining State Longitudinal Data Systems

Over the past quarter century, federal and state investments have fueled growth in statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs), which connect individuals’ data over time and across state agencies, focusing primarily on education and workforce development.

50-State Comparison: State Data Dictionaries and Manuals

States often publish data dictionaries or manuals that showcase which data elements their systems collect. This resource links to every public education-to-workforce data dictionary, data manual, or related document our […]

Ed Note Blog Posts

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Postsecondary Workforce

Implementing Workforce Pell: Early Lessons From Tennessee

Workforce Pell has the potential to open new doors for learners seeking high-quality, career-focused education. Institutions whose programs already align with the eligibility requirements may move quickly, but the pace and consistency […]

Workforce

Why States Need Better Local Labor Market Information for an AI Economy

The precursor to this post described a bridge to nowhere — a Los Angeles area structure left stranded when the roads connecting it washed away. It's a useful metaphor for the challenge facing state and local educators today: the educational roads […]

Workforce

Building Future-Proof Workforce Pathways Through Responsive Data Systems

In 1936, Los Angeles County built a bridge across the San Gabriel River to link the San Gabriel Valley with Wrightwood, a popular camping spot. In 1938, a hurricane washed out the unfinished roads on both sides of the bridge. […]

K-12

Student Mental Health and School Counselor Licensure

Student mental health has moved to the forefront of state policy agendas in recent years. While concerns were growing before 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point, accelerating attention […]

Postsecondary Workforce

Do States Have the Data Capacity to Implement Workforce Pell?

“When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight," Samuel Johnson said of a condemned acquaintance, "it concentrates the mind wonderfully." State leaders staring down an impending and critical July deadline for implementing Workforce […]

Postsecondary Workforce

Exploring State Postsecondary Policy Priorities of 2026

Recent state postsecondary policymaking has been shaped by a mix of affordability concerns, uneven enrollment recovery and persistent labor market demand in high-demand fields. As states work to fortify talent pipelines, policymakers are […]

Postsecondary Workforce

Governing Workforce Pell Grants at the State Level

Last summer, the H.B. 1 was passed by the U.S. Congress. This legislation allows students to apply Pell Grants to short-term training programs beginning July 1, 2026, which could open […]

K-12 Workforce

Retaining Great Teachers Through Induction and Mentoring

Across all 50 states, shortages and turnover continue to challenge the teacher workforce. Our 50-State Comparison on Teacher Recruitment and Retention highlights how states are tackling these issues by creating […]

K-12 Workforce

Paid Clinical Service for Novice Teachers

Recent studies estimate that about one in eight teaching positions nationally are either filled by teachers not fully certified for the specific role or unfilled. As states continue to grapple with a specific and persistent teacher shortage, strategies […]

K-12 Workforce

Recruiting Teachers in Areas of Critical Need

Recent estimates highlight the persistent challenges in teacher staffing nationwide. The impact of those shortages is even more dire for certain geographic areas, student populations and subjects. A 2021 analysis […]

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Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.

Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur.