More than 300 education and industry leaders from 36 U.S. states came together last week to learn from one another about how states are connecting education after high school with economic opportunity.
In Mississippi, the statewide workforce development agency has embedded career coaches into nearly every public high school.
Indiana redesigned its high school diploma requirements to incentivize work-based learning experiences.
And Virginia coordinates shared goals among education, workforce, and economic development agencies, enabling the state to anticipate employer needs and talent pipelines.
More than 300 education and industry leaders from 36 U.S. states came together to learn from one another about how states are connecting education after high school with economic opportunity. At the daylong event, the leaders explored data from the recently released 2025 State Opportunity Index and learned about promising approaches in other states.
According to the latest State Opportunity Index, several U.S. states are making notable progress in their efforts to better connect education with economic opportunity.
Their paths vary, but a new collection of detailed breakdowns provides insights into the commitments made by different states:
A data system in Montana that ensures education and employment data speak to each other.
The lowest in-state undergraduate university tuition in the country in Florida.
A focus on awarding bachelor’s degrees at lower-cost community colleges in Washington.
In Maryland, bipartisan support for apprenticeships to achieve workforce development goals.
Each of these 10 summaries, companion pieces to the 2025 State Opportunity Index, includes a collection of tools and resources the states use in their work.
AccelerateMS Executive Director Courtney Taylor shared at the State Opportunity Index event how Mississippi is embedding career coaching at public high schools.
Chuck Welch, president and CEO of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, shared the keynote address at the State Opportunity Index event.
University Business’ coverage of the new State Opportunity Index notes that 30 percent of the recent graduates of America’s public colleges and universities failed to earn a positive return on investment within 10 years of graduation.
Strada Education Foundation, 10 W. Market Street, Suite 1100, Indianapolis, IN 46204
