Generation Next

06/03/2026

June is month at StriveTogether!

A purposeful pathway is more than a plan — it's a connected, well-designed system that supports young people from high school graduation through credential completion and into employment with family-sustaining wages.

And right now, too many students are navigating that journey alone.

By 2031, 72% of all jobs will require some form of postsecondary education or credential. Yet nearly 40% of first-time undergraduates don't complete a degree within eight years. And nearly half of Gen Z students say they lack confidence in their postsecondary plans.

Students aren't failing the system. The system isn't connecting the dots for them.

When K–12, higher education, employers and community partners work together around shared data and shared goals, more students graduate knowing where they're going and how to get there.

As a member of the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network, we're committed to building those systems in our community.

📘 Learn more about why purposeful pathways matter and what it takes to build them:

Every student deserves a clear path forward. Too often, they are navigating their future without a trusted guide or the real-world experience to match. According to ECMC Group’s pulse survey, 78% of Gen Z students said they want to determine their career plans before graduating. Only 13% fee...

05/27/2026

It’s at StriveTogether, and we’re excited to highlight one of our favorite parts of our events: Data Walks! 📊✨

During Data Walks, we share community data on student outcomes and experiences—from early childhood through postsecondary attainment & employment—and transform complex dashboards into accessible, easy-to-understand boards. This allows attendees to explore the data at their own pace, ask questions, and dig into what it all means for our community.

A key part of the experience? Our incredible Data Docents 👏
They help guide conversations, answer questions, and create a welcoming space for learning and reflection.

Data Walks are all about making data meaningful, approachable, and actionable—for everyone.

You can view our 2026 Annual Event Data Boards, as well as last year's, on our website's Publications tab: https://gennextmsp.org/publications/

05/26/2026

May is at StriveTogether, and we wanted to share the most-visited resource on our website--our Data Center!

Our Data Center features interactive data dashboards for all six of our goal areas!

Explore more at the link below:

https://gennextmsp.org/data/

05/26/2026

Over the past 5 sessions, our Promise Advocates Cohort (PAC) came together to learn, connect, and elevate parent voice in meaningful ways. 💙

This incredible cohort included passionate parents representing 9 different communities, each bringing unique experiences, perspectives, and ideas to the table. Together, they created a Plan of Action that reflects the voices, hopes, and priorities of families across our communities.

Throughout the cohort, parents showed up with courage, support, and inspiration for one another. It was truly amazing to hear their stories, build connections, and witness the power of parents advocating for change together.

We are so proud of each graduate and grateful for the time, heart, and leadership they shared with this cohort. Your voices matter, and your advocacy will continue to make an impact far beyond these sessions.

A special shout out to the Education Partnership Coalition for facilitating this powerful experience and helping create a space where parent voices could be heard, valued, and uplifted.

Congratulations to our Promise Advocates Cohort graduates!

Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood Cradle 2 Career Generation Next Northfield Promise Northside Achievement Zone RiseUp Partnership United Way of Central Minnesota TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health Parent Nation Children First

05/21/2026

May is — and we're starting with a question: what separates communities that improve outcomes for young people from those that don't?

Research points to one consistent answer: how they use data.

A study by the American Educational Research Association across 59 school districts and seven states found that those that systematically collected, interpreted and used student performance data produced statistically significant improvements in student achievement — compared to those that didn't.

As a member of the StriveTogether Cradle to Career Network, evidence-based decision making is central to how we work. It means asking the right questions, sharing information across partners and changing what a community does based on what the data shows.

Data is not the goal. Better outcomes for young people are. Data is a driver to how communities get there.

📊 Read StriveTogether’s full explainer on why data use matters — and what it takes to build systems that put it into practice:

Learn why data use matters and how communities that collect, share and act on data together produce better outcomes for children and families.

05/20/2026

Our latest blog post recaps our 2026 Annual Event: Pathways to Possibility! Read it here: https://gennextmsp.org/blog/pathways-to-possibility-2026/

05/06/2026

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! We are truly thankful for the incredible dedication and hard work our community's educators put into shaping the future of our youth, and we are lucky to count so many as part of our networks. Your passion and commitment inspire us every day.💖

05/05/2026

Behind every student outcome is a teacher making it possible.

This week, we celebrate all educators who create spaces of belonging, lift student voice, and help young people stay on a path to success. Thank you for all you do!

04/24/2026

Thank you to Dr. Stacie Stanley, Superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools SPPS, for providing a "State of our Scholars" update at our 2026 Annual Event, along with Superintendent Sayles-Adams (Minneapolis Public Schools). Stay tuned for more quotes and insights from our 2026 Annual Event: Pathways to Possibility!

04/17/2026

We heard from so many great speakers at our 2026 Annual Event: Pathways to Possibility! Karen Kelley-Ariwoola from Northside Achievement Zone provided closing remarks that beautifully wrapped up our work as a coalition.

Stay tuned for more insights & quotes!