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 | Shaping the National Conversation Around Pandemic Learning Loss and the Road to Recovery

  • Project: Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University

  • Length: 2021 - present

  • Focus Area: Strategic Communications, Campaigns + Coalitions

  • Category: K-12

HCM partnered with the Center for Education Policy Research (CEPR) at Harvard University to lead the release of unprecedented data around learning loss in K-12 public schools across the country.

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SPOTLIGHT | Supporting Campaigns & Coalitions in Washington State

  • Project: Washington College Promise Coalition

  • Length: 2017 - present

  • Focus Area: Design and Implement Campaigns and Coalitions

  • Category: Postsecondary

In 2017, HCM Strategists reinvigorated the College Promise Coalition in Washington State in support of the Coalition’s #Pathto70 campaign.

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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.

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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.

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Realizing the American Dream 2.0

  • Project: American Dream 2.0 Coalition

  • Length: 2012-2014

  • Focus Area: Strategic Communications, Campaigns + Coalitions, Designing, Evaluating and Implementing Policy Agendas

  • Category: Postsecondary

HCM established and led an unprecedented coalition to address how financial aid can play a role in advancing the American Dream, comprised of diverse national leadership—college and foundation presidents; civil rights leaders; top state policymakers; student activists; former budget and higher education officials; college access advocates; business leaders; and the nation’s foremost authorities on financial aid.

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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.

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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.

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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

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