As Virginia’s new secretary of education, Smith is committed to building bigger tables. “Together, we can advance a vision for a Commonwealth that is stronger, safer, and more affordable for all Virginians, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to achieve and succeed,” he said.
Strong partnerships between employers, K‑12 schools, and higher education are essential for helping students understand evolving career paths and access real‑world learning opportunities.
Business, education, and civic leaders in Christian County, Kentucky are calling for deeper partnerships between the local school district and the business community to support the district’s new consolidated high school model focused on career-readiness. The leaders say collaboration between schools, employers, and community partners is crucial for student success
Eleven years ago, Utica Community Schools sent a group of educators to visit the Academies of Nashville, a high school model partnered with Ford Next Generation Learning to provide career-focused academies. When teacher, Mark LaCombe, got off the bus immediately following a tour of one of the Nashville schools, he
DPS is inching closer to being designated as a Ford Next Generation Learning district, which is expected to happen in March.
The Academies of Albuquerque is a districtwide high school redesign initiative that connects rigorous academics with career-connected learning and real-world experiences. Through themed academies and career pathways, students explore their interests, develop practical and academic skills, and graduate prepared for college, career and life.
Featured speaker Kimberly Fifer, a community coach for Ford Next Generation Learning, will discuss the importance of community engagement and partnerships between businesses and schools. Fifer has 26 years of experience in education, including service as an assistant superintendent, and has also served as a board member and president of
A few months ago, I saw that Join or Die was being shown at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in my hometown of Petoskey. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to recognize just how powerful community truly is — and how easy it is to take it for granted. I’ve
The story of the Academies of Shakopee is more than a set of strategies, tools, or events. It is a reminder of what becomes possible when a community commits to learning together. Every piece of Shakopee’s work tells the same story. Communication is connection. Partnerships open doors. Shared language builds
Circles Are Ongoing – Here’s the latest! Academy Coach Circle (Last Circle: November 6th, 2025; Next Circle: January 8th, 2026) November’s lively conversation focused on employer-engaged projects and bringing your Portraits of a Graduate (PoG) off the wall. We initiated the PoG conversation last year following the 2024 Leadership Council,
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