TNTP CEO Responds to TNTP’s Inclusion in the National Governors Association’s New Education Roadmap

Today’s challenges cross traditional boundaries and require integrated solutions—not siloed approaches.

I shared this message when I joined Gov. Jared Polis and other governors, leaders, and representatives at the bipartisan National Governors Association (NGA) convening in New York this past spring. It was an engaging discussion as I presented TNTP’s latest research, Paths of Opportunity, focusing on what it truly takes to ensure every young person has opportunity and access to multiple pathways to economic and social mobility.

This week, the NGA is launching its Let’s Get Ready! Roadmap—and I’m honored that TNTP’s research is prominently featured in this guide for state leaders on how to empower young people with the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to thrive after graduation, while building economic competitiveness in every state and across the nation.

TNTP’s Opportunity Agenda was built on the idea that student success depends on more than academics alone. It takes strong academics, career-connected learning, social capital, personal support, and civic engagement—working together.

This integrated approach is baked into how we engage communities and schools across the nation; this includes our work with Alton High School in Illinois, where we worked in partnership with the school community to understand what students need to thrive in the workforce, what skills local industries seek, and how to best link academic learning to real-world experiences.

As these transformational ideas and strategies gain momentum, we can collectively move beyond one-size-fits-all models and build personalized, cross-sector pathways that give every young person a real opportunity to lead a thriving life. Our collective future depends on their success.