Improving College & Career Outcomes through Research-Practice Partnerships

A Case Study of ILP Implementation in Three Gateway City School Districts

Public schools are under pressure to close wide opportunity and achievement gaps so that disadvantaged students can compete for jobs in today’s knowledge economy on an equal footing. While the resources to accomplish this important work are often limited, advances in education technology, data availability, and research methods can help schools get more learning out read more

Topic(s): Education, Research

The Geography of Incarceration in a Gateway City

The Cost and Consequences of High Incarceration Rate Neighborhoods in Worcester

Ben Forman and Lindiwe Rennert

In 2016, MassINC and the Boston Indicators Project issued a report detailing the geography of incarceration in Boston. Utilizing new data provided by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department, this report extends that line of research by examining incarceration in a Gateway City. The analysis explores the cost and consequences of high incarceration rates in Worcester read more

Topic(s): Criminal Justice, Gateway Cities, Research

The Public’s Take on Education Accountability

Results from a Survey of Massachusetts Voters

Ben Forman, Rich Parr and Steve Koczela

Understanding public opinion on education account- ability is crucial as policymakers work to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the 2015 federal law that replaces No Child Left Behind (NCLB). MassINC partnered with The MassINC Polling Group to learn more about how voters throughout the Commonwealth feel about efforts to assess student learning, measure read more

Topic(s): Education, Public Opinion, Research

Voters Support the Changes to Accountability Envisioned by Gateway City Leaders

Survey of registered voters in Massachusetts

Ben Forman and Steve Koczela

Across Massachusetts, Gateway City leaders are working to create exceptional learning environments. It’s a community-wide effort. By strategically marshalling available resources, Gateway Cities can provide the comprehensive supports and educational opportunities that will enable students to gain the full set of advanced skills today’s economy requires. Achieving this vision calls for new approaches to state read more

Topic(s): Education, Gateway Cities, Public Opinion

Advancing the Gateway Cities Vision

The Potential of Next-Generation Approaches to Education Accountability

Ben Forman

We’ve got a prime opportunity to advance the Gateway Cities Vision. In 2013, Gateway City leaders came together to develop an “education vision.” Their farsighted plan leverages unique urban assets to create exceptional learning environments. Achieving this vision is fundamental to making Gateway Cities more attractive communities for families to live and more productive places for read more

Topic(s): Education, Gateway Cities

Workforce Development Transformation Case Studies

Three Examples of Systems Change through Collaborative Gateway City Leadership

Ben Forman and Jodi Wilinsky Hill

It is with great pleasure that we offer three case studies to complement the report Calling All Leaders: An Action Guide to Workforce Development Transformation. The action guide outlined the grand dimensions of the challenge by the numbers, and contrasted the need for workforce development services with the limited resources available. These case studies show read more

Topic(s): Education, Jobs and Economic Security, Strong Communities, Economic Development, Gateway Cities

Calling all Gateway City Leaders

An action Guide to Workforce Development Transformation in Massachusetts

Ben Forman

In Gateway City regions with an aging and under-skilled labor force, workforce development is an essential ingredient for future economic growth. This new “action guide” provides a helpful playbook for local leaders looking to engage in efforts to transform these systems. In plain English, the report breaks down workforce development to give municipal leaders a read more

Topic(s): Jobs and Economic Security, Strong Communities, Economic Development, Gateway Cities, Research

Rebuilding Renewal

An Analysis of State Investment in Gateway Cities and a Work Plan for Delivering Transformative Development

Ben Forman, Daniel Hodge, Ian Jakus and Matthew O'Brien

Over the last decade, Massachusetts has fundamentally shifted its understanding of the needs and opportunities of small-to-medium-sized cities anchoring the Commonwealth’s regional economies. The state now places considerable priority on efforts to make these so-called Gateway Cities stronger drivers of growth. But, despite this focus, economic conditions in Gateway Cities remain fundamentally weak. As recent read more

Topic(s): Economic Development, Gateway Cities, Research

Leading Together

Building Private Nonprofit Economic Development Organizations for Gateway City Growth & Renewal

Gordon Carr and Ben Forman

Tackling 21st century economic development challenges requires robust private sector engagement. Fostering the growth of nonprofit economic development organizations is a promising strategy to build partnerships with the private sector in Gateway Cities. Through these entities, business leaders work collaboratively to help fashion economic development projects, initiatives, and policy advocacy. While these groups are generally read more

Topic(s): Strong Communities, Economic Development, Gateway Cities

Leading Together

Four Case Studies of Successful Gateway City Initiatives

Ben Forman and Amy Dain

Responding to the challenges brought about by industrial change requires strong leadership, but the changes themselves have eroded the leadership capacity of Gateway Cities. Corporate consolidation leaves fewer committed private sector leaders with a long-term vision at the civic table. The rapid pace of economic change creates more residential turnover. Declining household income means residents read more

Topic(s): Strong Communities, Gateway Cities, Research

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