Connected by 25

Online Toolkit and Recommendations for Policymakers

Education - State Level

Reading to Achieve: A Governor’s Guide to Adolescent Literacy outlines provides recommendations of what states can do to improve adolescent literacy. (NGA Center for Best Practices)

By the Numbers: State Goals for Increasing Postsecondary Attainment

provides recommendations to states on how to design and implement goal-setting efforts so they have a greater chance of success.

(Jobs for the Future 2006)

Education - Local, Regional, and State Levels

Educational Needs Index is a county-level study of educational, economic, and population pressures that influence educational policy and planning at local, regional, and state levels. The data assists policymakers at state, regional, and local levels as they work to reach informed decisions on issues of adult education and postsecondary education access and attainment. Particular emphasis is placed on the role that training, certificate programs, two-year degrees, and adult literacy initiatives play in forming foundations for more promising futures and stronger economies built upon a more versatile workforce.

Juvenile Justice

Detention Reform and Girls: Challenges and Solutions discusses lessons learned about the need for gender-responsive reform.

A Blueprint for Juvenile Justice Reform outlines nine tenets to help communities and policymakers get juvenile justice reform on the right track.

(Juvenile Justice Work Group YTFG 2005)

Access to Statistics and Relevant Data for Your State

• Education
• Foster Care
• Juvenile Justice
• Children & Youth

Community Tools (National League of Cities)

Institute of Youth, Education & Families

Action Toolkit for Municipal Leaders

Case Studies on Promising Practices

• Education
• Foster Care
• Juvenile Justice