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Governance Strengthens Pathways

Serving learners through focused vision and leadership

What is Governance?

Governance is the intentional alignment of state agencies, priorities and resources to support high-quality learner pathways.

Why Does It Matter?

Weak, Siloed State Governance Negatively Impacts Learners

Multiple state leaders and systems are needed to support high-quality pathways. When they are not aligned or their efforts siloed, programs and resources may be wasted or duplicative, and policies may be confusing or contradictory.

While the notion of governance may seem abstract, the difference between strong and weak governance of pathways carries real consequences for learners trying to navigate a complicated web of programs, policies and funding.  

Here’s how to improve governance to help learners succeed.

Developing a strong governance structure for pathways means setting clear expectations for how leaders and systems must work together to support learners throughout their journeys from education to workforce.

Strong Governance

In states with strong governance, leaders and agencies are empowered to pursue a common vision and set of priorities for both learner and economic success. Policies, programs and resources are aligned and accountability for outcomes is shared.

  • Intermediaries
  • Workforce
  • K–12 System
  • College
  • Business/Industry

Essential Pillars

  • Empowered Leadership

    Codified leadership structure with cross-sector, cross-system stakeholder representation and decision-making authority

  • Shared Vision & Priorities

    Jointly developed multi-year vision and aligned priorities working to strengthen pathways for learners of all ages

  • Aligned Policies, Programs & Funding

    Streamlined, aligned and coordinated policies, programs and funding across represented systems and stakeholders

  • Common Metrics

    Data collected and outcomes analyzed against the vision and priorities to share publicly and leverage in data-driven decision making

Implementation

Strong governance at the state level sets clear expectations for alignment and quality for local education and workforce program providers. Learners face fewer barriers to accessing and affording education and training.

  • K–12
  • Higher Education
  • Communities
  • Workforce

Impact

Learners can seamlessly transition from education to workforce, earn credentials of value and succeed in sustainable wage occupations.

Key Structural Examples

These structural models show how states can organize coordination, collaboration, and decision-making authority across empowered stakeholders to support the development and success of high-quality pathways for all learners.

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Creating a Governor-Led Vision

Cabinet Model

Centers the vision and planning of the cabinet within the state governor’s office and priorities. Cabinet authority can extend to program funding, federal grant administration and even program development (e.g., CTE).

What Sets It Apart

  1. A dedicated office to convene and coordinate agencies
  2. Centralized oversight and authority across key stakeholders
  3. Collective and individual accountability according to data collected and reported
View State Example

Creating an Empowered Agency

Quarterback Model

Through executive order or legislative action, one lead agency is empowered with executing the state’s priorities for education to workforce pathways and broader economic prosperity.

What Sets It Apart

  1. One agency to set the vision and “call the plays” that other agencies and offices will execute
  2. Oversees plans for relevant federal grants, which also drive state investments in pathways
  3. Player agencies retain authority over their own programs and funding, yet with heavy input from the quarterback
View State Example

Creating Shared Governance

Tri-Agency Model

Three major agencies are empowered to meet a unified, common goal for the state. The agencies are required to share data, planning and execution of a strategy for educating and supporting learners of all ages.

What Sets It Apart

  1. A more decentralized approach that acknowledges the equal role agencies play
  2. Ensures alignment of agencies even with differences in the learners they serve
  3. Leaders maintain all funding and program authority, aligned to the common plan and goal for the state
View State Example

Three Key Policies to Start Building Strong Governance

Establish common definitions to drive the work across state agencies

Statewide Definitions

Answer key questions about how well pathways are working for learners

ROI Analysis

Strengthen the data infrastructure needed for robust analysis

DATA CONNECTIONS