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 | Exploring the Exodus from Higher Education & Ways to Fix It
Project: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation / Declining college enrollments study
Length: Since our founding in 2008
Focus Area: Market + Policy Research
Category: Postsecondary
We partnered with EDGE Research for the Gates Foundation to ask over 1600 high school graduates in seven states (California, Florida, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington), why they are opting out of college.
SPOTLIGHT | Empowering Parents & Families to Partner in Their Child’s Academic Success: Log in & Learn More in Texas
Project: Texas Education Agency (TEA) and ETS / Log In and Learn More
Partnership Length: 2017-2021
Focus Area: Research, Messaging, and Strategy
Category: K-12
HCM Strategists, in partnership with Learning Heroes and as a part of ongoing work with ETS, helped develop a robust family engagement public awareness campaign and a set of aligned resources for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to help parents access and use state test score results in support of their child’s grade-level progress.
HCM’s Promising Policy Series: Driving Better Outcomes and Equity in Education
Project: Promising Policy
Length: 2018 - 2019
Focus Area: Market + Policy Research and Analysis, Designing, Evaluating and Implementing Policy Agendas, Strategic Communications, Campaigns and Coalitions
Category: Postsecondary
HCM Strategists’ mission is to inform the development, adoption and refinement of impactful policies that make a difference in advancing equitable student outcomes. We launched the Promising Policy series to offer materials that highlight good policy and to examine the differences between impactful, lasting policies and those that fail to deliver on their promises.
A National Imperative: Addressing Declining Black Student Enrollments to Fully Realize Black Leaner Excellence in Higher Ed
Project: Realizing Black Learner Excellence in Higher Ed
Length: 2021 - Present
Focus Area: Market + Policy Research and Analysis, Designing, Evaluating and Implementing Policy Agendas, Strategic Communications, Campaigns and Coalitions
Category: Postsecondary
Together with EducationCounsel, Achieving the Dream, and with support from Lumina Foundation, HCM Strategists is building a coalition to enact a national call to action that addresses decades-long declining enrollments among Black learners.
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.
Analyzing Middle Skills Jobs and Education Requirements
Project: Connecting Learning and Work: Analyzing Middle Skills
Length: Ongoing
Focus Area: Market and Policy Research + Analysis
Category: Postsecondary
HCM recognized the need to better understand the policy around skills development–both middle and high skills–that better support workers through alternative pathways in education, on-the-job-training and other programs to increase economic mobility.
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.
IMPACT | Transforming funding and financial aid systems across the country
For over 12 years, HCM has worked across several states to transform the higher education financing model.
IMPACT | Improving student outcomes by bridging the “disconnect gap” between families and schools
Since HCM’s founding, our K-12 team has focused on parent engagement across several states as a way to improve student outcomes and create more equitable opportunities.
IMPACT | Building public will for racial equity, postsecondary education opportunities, and a healthier democracy
HCM Strategists created the Courage and Hidden Common Ground Collaborative to help state-based organizations find common ground and amplify public support for equity-centered policies in support of higher education initiatives