Creating Common Assignments: The Impact of Teacher Designed Instructional Units

The term <em>Pathways</em> is increasingly used to describe many facets of a student’s educational journey. In this month’s newsletter, we take a closer look at what <em>Pathways</em> means to the foundation. This edition focuses on the vital role of the Integrated Framework, which is a structured approach that connects the supports students need across systems to thrive not only at key points in their education, but also throughout their adult lives.

New polling from New America and Gallup shows that most Americans still believe in the value of higher education, even amid headlines about cost and skepticism. While challenges remain—particularly around affordability—interest in enrolling is strong, and recent enrollment gains at community colleges point to growing demand for flexible, career-aligned options after high school.

This month, we reflect on the foundation’s bold new $200 billion commitment through 2045—a call to deepen impact and push the boundaries of what’s possible. The Pathways team is zeroing in on the high-stakes transition from high school to postsecondary life, focusing on integrated strategies like high-quality advising, dual enrollment, CTE, and FAFSA completion. Stay tuned as we continue to explore what strong, student-centered pathways look like in practice and spotlight the innovations shaping the future.