Reaching Families
Build trust and expand understanding
Families are key decision-makers—but many are navigating unfamiliar options and mixed messages.
Use these tools to:
- Talk about education and career pathways without reinforcing “either/or” thinking
- Address concerns about stability, quality, and outcomes
- Provide clear, accessible information families can act on
Explore resources for reaching families below
Toolkit
What does it take to engage in narrative change
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This website captures insights and lessons learned from the Pathways Narrative Project and shares tools and resources for organizations interested in engaging in narrative change as part of their mission and work. The Pathways Narrative Project is a two-year collaborative initiative, led by Wonder: Strategies for Good and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Walton Family Foundation and others, that convened nine organizations to improve education and career pathways for young people. Together the cohort explored how to leverage the power of narrative to advance programs and systems change in the pathways space.
Article, Research Report
Failing on Purpose
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This survey explores the perspectives and experiences of those in closest contact with the American education system—namely parents, current students, and recent graduates. In partnership with YouGov, American Compass surveyed representative American parents young adults about their views on the purpose of public education; their reflections on the way that the school system has performed; and their desire for reforms to both K–12 schools and higher education. They found that Americans want (1) a public education system less focused on college, more focused on preparing people to build decent lives in their communities, and (2) education reforms to emphasize non-college pathways.
Filters
Toolkit
What does it take to engage in narrative change
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This website captures insights and lessons learned from the Pathways Narrative Project and shares tools and resources for organizations interested in engaging in narrative change as part of their mission and work. The Pathways Narrative Project is a two-year collaborative initiative, led by Wonder: Strategies for Good and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Walton Family Foundation and others, that convened nine organizations to improve education and career pathways for young people. Together the cohort explored how to leverage the power of narrative to advance programs and systems change in the pathways space.
Article, Research Report
Failing on Purpose
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This resource may be shared with proper attribution to the organization.
This survey explores the perspectives and experiences of those in closest contact with the American education system—namely parents, current students, and recent graduates. In partnership with YouGov, American Compass surveyed representative American parents young adults about their views on the purpose of public education; their reflections on the way that the school system has performed; and their desire for reforms to both K–12 schools and higher education. They found that Americans want (1) a public education system less focused on college, more focused on preparing people to build decent lives in their communities, and (2) education reforms to emphasize non-college pathways.