COllaboration Matters

A Reflection on the 2024-25 School Year (So Far)

One common theme has stood out during our work this year: cross-sector collaboration is essential for rural student success.

Rural communities face unique challenges:

• Limited educational resources
• Fewer industry partners and opportunities

Yet, through collaboration, communities across the state are elevating breakthrough opportunities for kids. At the beginning of this school year, Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative (SWCEC) completed its 3rd “Behind the Drywall,” week-long paid summer program where students engage in industry-led programming centered on HVAC, plumbing, and electrical skills – all areas that regional districts don’t have capacity or equipment to teach.  One student shared, “the mentors showed me that anyone can go into the trades and be successful.”

These kinds of opportunities are happening regularly during the school year throughout multi-district collaborations like the Fremont Multi-District Initiative (FMI) and the Western Slope Schools Career Collaborative (WSSCC). Students gain hands-on experience in high-demand fields, allowing employers to cultivate local talent. By bringing together K-12 education, workforce development, industry, and higher education, we can close these gaps. When sectors collaborate, students can gain access to college and career pathways that allow for:

• Work-based learning (WBL) opportunities that span the WBL continuum
• Concurrent enrollment and college credit
• Industry-recognized credentials

Multi-district cross-sector collaborators like FMI and WSSCC — lifelines for rural communities seeking strong educational and economic outcomes — aren’t the only places where collaboration is proving crucial. This year, we teamed up with the Colorado Education Initiative, Colorado Succeeds, and Lyra to the host rural track sessions The Attainment Network Pathways Conference, where cross-sector collaboration proved critical to the development of high-quality career pathways. 

Policy Action for 2025: Turning Insights into Action

This spring, we’re turning the lessons learned into meaningful action. During the 2025 legislative session, Empower Schools Colorado will advocate for bold policy shifts that uplift rural districts and expand opportunities for students statewide:

• Incentivizing workforce readiness: Recognizing rural districts’ efforts through post-secondary measures like industry credentials and work-based learning.
• Streamlining college and career pathway programs: Ensuring programs are aligned, accessible, and impactful.
• Securing sustainable funding: Allocating both startup and ongoing funding to establish and strengthen opportunities for students.

Rural and multi-district collaboratives are poised to help small and rural districts implement high-quality pathways leading to in-demand, high-wage careers.

Looking Ahead: Building Stronger Pathways 

As we look to the second half of the school year, we’re inspired by the partnerships strengthened, lessons learned, and visions shared in the communities we serve. We’re thrilled to spread collaboration through brand-new programs like 2025’s Innovate Pikes Peak, Empower’s first non-rural, industry and community partner-led collaboration in Colorado.

Together, we’ll continue to:

• Build inclusive pathways that prepare students for college, career, and lifelong success.
• Advocate for policy shifts that recognize and reward the critical work rural districts have pursued for years.

Let’s Shape the Future Together

Empowering students and communities requires collaboration, innovation, and action. Whether it’s a student earning her certification or a school district seeing new career opportunities emerge, the work we do together makes a difference. Let’s continue building brighter futures — together.

Get in touch to learn about the latest opportunities to collaborate in your region. Reach out to Sara Butler, Empower Schools Colorado Director, to be the first to know about exciting collaborative opportunities coming up this spring.