Empower SChools Story Archive
Our complete archive or stories, blogs, news articles and more.
GET THE LATEST
For the best experience, visit our Story page and view a searchable, interactive directory of our latest and most relevant posts.
Texas Is Showing What It Looks Like to Back Rural Collaboration
Rural districts are creating stronger college and career pathways by working together. Alyssa Morton looks at new research on regional collaboratives and Texas’s latest R-PEP grants, showing how state policy, funding, and implementation support can help locally designed partnerships grow.
The $50 Billion Rural Healthcare Opportunity States Can’t Afford To Miss
Morton and Rhine: States should use the new federal dollars to build a healthcare talent pipeline for rural communities, starting in high school.
Inside 5 Rural Texas Districts That Together Set Students on Path to the Future
High schoolers travel to districts up to an hour away to attend academies in welding, teaching, nursing, robotics — and earn college credit.
‘You’re going to win’: Crowley ISD, Paul Quinn College team up on middle schooL
Quinnite Schools Network and Crowley ISD began an 1882 partnership to improve middle school scores while making college planning a part of...
We Act in Partnership
Our 2024-2025 annual report highlights the progress we’ve made alongside local champions this year including expanding rural collaboratives, advancing innovative school models, and shaping policies that create opportunities for young people.
Empower Schools Awarded $750,000 Grant from Greater Texas Foundation
Empower Schools is proud to announce a $750,000 grant from Greater Texas Foundation to support the expansion of Rural Pathway Excellence Partnerships (R-PEP) to three additional regions: Region 14, Region 1, and Region 16, and support broader efforts to spread the rural collaborative model.
Rural communities unite to build career pathways for students
“Rural leaders are reimagining student and community success by forming Rural Collaboratives as other regions refer to these programs, which bring together local school districts, higher education institutions, employers, and regional development partners to expand rural students’ access to high-quality college and career pathways that also benefit the community."
Heartland Innovation: Indiana Superintendent Neal Adams
A conversation with Randolph, IN Superintendent Neal Adams on building successful, innovative rural school communities, including a "grow your own" teacher program, and healthcare industry apprenticeships. Taped live at ASU+GSV 2025 and hosted by CER's Caroline Allen.
The Education Ecosystem - Reshaping Community Partnerships
Featuring Empower Schools Director, PBS Michiana discusses ommunities, schools, and businesses reshaping partnerships amidst an ever-changing education landscape.
Welcome to our new website!
empowerschoools.org has a new look.
Innovation schools are retaining teachers. Here is how
“While we may have more flexibility and agility than traditional public schools, the practices we developed can be successfully applied anywhere."
Empower Schools and the Center for Education Policy Research Partner to Advance Research on the Enabling Policies and Impact of Rural Collaboratives
In shrinking rural towns, these Texas high schools are teaming up to stay alive
“We looked across the street, we looked at close neighbors and said, 'What are you guys doing well and what can we take advantage of as a school district?'" said Michael Gonzales, executive director of Rural Schools Innovation Zone, a nonprofit that runs the initiative."
What's More Bipartisan Than Rural Career Pathway Initiatives?
High schoolers travel to districts up to an hour away to attend academies in welding, teaching, nursing, robotics — and earn college credit.
Our Holiday Wish: Bring on the Collaboration
A reflection on how cross-sector collaboration helps Colorado communities expand work-based learning, college credit, credentials, and career pathways.
Celebrating 10 Years of Empowerment
A reflection on Empower Schools’ first decade and the partnerships, policies, and community-led strategies that shaped its work.
What Educators Want and Students Need
ow Empower Schools helps communities create Innovation Schools that give educators flexibility while holding schools accountable for results.
Building Pathways for Rural Students
How Empower Schools helps rural communities build cross-district partnerships that expand college, career, and workforce pathways for students.
How High Schools Can Advance Post-Secondary Success
How Empower Schools helps communities connect high school, college, and career through early college, advising, work-based learning, and industry credentials.
‘Not Waiting for People to Save us’: 9 School Districts Combine Forces to Help Students
Nine Southwest Colorado school districts combine courses, staff, equipment, funding, and employer partnerships to expand opportunities for rural students.