Explore our most recent case studies
We work to make education more accessible, affordable, accountable, and equitable
Our work is large-scale, interconnected, driven by data and grounded in learner and parent perspectives. By working in every part of the education system, we provide a broad point of view and deep knowledge that allows for bigger impact.
SPOTLIGHT | Providing Strategic Counsel for Redefining Rural Education
Project: Alliance of Regional Rural Colleges (ARRC)
Length: 2021 - present
Focus Area: Strategic Advice and Counsel
Category: Postsecondary
HCM Strategists provided strategic advice and counsel to ARRC, a new advocacy and research organization that’s challenging Capitol Hill leaders to rethink how they evaluate and fund rural and regional colleges.
SPOTLIGHT | Aligning State Funding & Degree Attainment Goals to Close Equity Gaps Through Strategy Labs
Project: Lumina Foundation / Strategy Labs
Length: 2010 - present
Focus Area: Design, Implement and Assess Evidence-based Policy Agendas
Category: Postsecondary
Since 2010, Lumina Foundation has drawn upon the state policy team at HCM Strategists to manage Strategy Labs initiatives and offer non-partisan content expertise and facilitation aligned with Lumina’s state policy agenda to increase attainment and close equity gaps.
Project APPLY
Project: Project APPLY
Length: 2020
Focus Area: Strategic Communications, Campaigns + Coalitions
Category: Postsecondary
HCM Strategists and Kinetic Seeds created Project APPLY, a content series to enliven a national conversation around how today’s students and workers experience learning after high school.
Context for Success: Evaluating Postsecondary Outcomes
Project: Context for Success
Length: 2010 - 2012
Focus Area: Market + Policy Research and Analysis, Strategic Communications, Campaigns + Coalitions
Category: Postsecondary
Commissioned by HCM Strategists, Context for Success identified challenges in current methods of evaluating postsecondary education and sought ideas grounded in research that would have practical benefits in the higher education policy world.
Outcomes-Based Funding (OBF): Driving Outcomes for Students Through Aligned Funding Models
Project: HCM Outcomes-Based Funding Framework
Length: Ongoing
Focus Area: Strategic Advice + Counsel, Market and Policy Research + Analysis, Designing, Evaluating and Implementing Policy Agendas
Category: Postsecondary
A thought leader with deep experience in tracking, analyzing and working with states to improve state postsecondary policy, HCM Strategists has developed an unparalleled understanding of the state postsecondary policy and funding landscape.
Partnering with Learning Heroes to Create School Report Cards That Meet Parents Where They Are With Information They Can Use
Project: School Report Cards for Parents
Length: Ongoing
Focus Area: Market & Policy Research + Analysis, Strategic Communications, Campaigns + Coalitions
Category: K-12
HCM Strategists special partnership with Learning Heroes yields an ongoing, unprecedented body of research on parent mindsets and education.
K-12 ESSA Plans: Deep Diving into State K-12 Accountability Systems
Project: State K-12 Accountability Systems
Length: 2015 - Present
Focus Area: Market & Policy Research + Analysis
Category: K-12
Amidst a backdrop of fast-moving policy change, HCM Strategists recognized the importance of safeguarding states’ commitment to equity and success for all students and partnered with some of the nation’s leading education policy and advocacy organizations to track, analyze and help strengthen states’ accountability plans.