Our Student Roadmap to Success plots the course of a student’s journey from cradle to career. The StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network identified seven core outcome areas that are most critical for the success of every child.
All of our efforts focus on these seven cradle-to-career outcomes:
Kindergarten readiness
Being ready for kindergarten affects future academic achievement and life success. Children develop fundamental skills and responses in early childhood that build strong foundations for reading, counting and social interactions. Studies show that as a child’s kindergarten readiness scores improve, third-grade reading and math scores rise accordingly.
Early grade reading
Literacy is critical to a child’s academic success, particularly early-grade reading. Children in the early grades begin to transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Reading at grade level is one of the strongest predictors of later success in school, with data showing the link between disparities in literacy during the early grades and persistent achievement gaps.
Middle grade math
Middle-grade math has become an important milestone for high school persistence, academic achievement, college attainment and readiness for the workforce. Research indicates that students who successfully complete middle-grade math perform better in geometry, more advanced algebra, trigonometry and calculus. A child’s math curriculum also has a strong link to college enrollment.
High school graduation
Students who graduate from high school earn higher wages and see better results in other measures of personal and social welfare, such as health and relationships. Increasing the educational attainment of one generation improves the next generation’s academic and social outcomes.
Postsecondary enrollment
Postsecondary enrollment marks a critical transition in the cradle-to-career pipeline. Students of color and those in low-income households are less likely to pursue education beyond high school. As more careers require additional preparation, it’s critical to ensure access to options and financial aid information for four-year degrees, two-year programs and technical certifications.
Postsecondary completion
More valuable than ever, degrees and certifications open doors to meaningful jobs and stable futures. Workers with at least a bachelor’s degree can earn more than individuals with only a high school diploma, and postsecondary attainment also leads to improved health and social outcomes. Society benefits from a more educated population, including lower crime rates and more community involvement.
Employment
Connecting postsecondary graduates to good jobs is the ultimate goal of the cradle-to-career pipeline. Students who are employed within a year of graduation are on their way to achieving self-sufficiency. When a community’s workforce is fully engaged, the entire community is stronger.
Our approach cuts across organizations and sectors to achieve powerful, enduring systems change. But it does not generate impact overnight. A combination of partners, practices and patience are all vital for continuous improvement to lead to sustainable results. Over time, communities are able to identify gaps along the continuum and align resources to maximize impact for the success of every child, cradle to career.