What Next? Reflective Engagement!

A few weeks ago, feeling a bit self-indulgent, I pondered on the value of one-way communications (PowerPoints, Blogs, Papers? What Next?). I’m pleased to report that the universe has answered. We’ve gotten wonderfully affirming notes on the value of attempting a comprehensive evidence review in “Too Big to Fail: Why Our Public Education System Needs a Bold National Response” as well as surprisingly powerful responses to the January Youth Today column comparing school systems to large dams.

Power Points, Blogs, Papers? What Next? 

Being catalysts is hard work. Merita and I spent the latter half of 2023 writing five papers that will be published in 2024 as book chapters or commissioned reports. Two of these with David Osher our friend and colleague at AIR. These papers competed at times with my commitment to short-form blogging and speaking and Merita’s commitment to partnership and alliance building. We think the long-form papers complement our short-form outreach formats. (Think of them as bundling a year’s worth of Youth Today columns into an organized frame).

Can Online Tutoring and Learning Ever Be Equitable?

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I will admit that I don’t click open every Youth Today article that pops up on my screen. But this one caught my eye: How a free, 24/7 tutoring model is disrupting learning loss for low-income kids. Research shows that high-impact tutoring – defined as three sessions a week for multiple weeks if not a full semester – is very effective. But a free, 24/7 opt in model?

From Reader to Champion

I received my first copy of Youth Today at the same one-day training where I first learned about Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets. Less than a year later, I’d be in a Youth Development master’s degree program. Less than 3 years later, I’d be working for Assets for Colorado Youth and a Youth Today subscriber.

Each month when Youth Today would arrive (it was still a print publication back then), I’d turn first to Karen Pittman’s column and other guest columnists. Youth Today was my link to the leaders in the field, to the ins and outs of the latest innovations, happenings, and programming, to great grant resources, and more.
Fast forward almost two decades…

Intentionality is the Name of the Game

It has been a month for bringing our Centering Youth Thriving messages out to our youth development partners as we traveled between multiple conferences, retreats, and connection meetings. One word summed up the theme shared from the main stage, in discussion rooms, and over coffee and cocktails: Intentionality. Six months ago, Mary Arnold, Director, Youth […]

Partners Summer Recap

We know the Knowledge to Power Catalysts team has been relatively quiet these last couple of months; it’s not because we haven’t been busy – both personally and professionally. Each of our partners has taken the past couple of months to enjoy some much-needed time with family and to wrap up, launch, or continue exciting projects. Read a bit about what each has been up to.