The Austin 2030 Network engages in collective impact efforts to improve outcomes for Austin’s children and youth by challenging inequity, prioritizing relationships, embracing disruptive innovation, and taking a systems view in order to:

All children and youth in Austin, Texas

have a sense of belonging and agency in their educational and work environments and can successfully navigate an educational pathway leading to a fulfilling career.

Well-designed, flexible educational and work opportunities that meet their needs.

Acknowledge that current gaps in educational attainment are caused by institutional inadequacy rather than individual failure.

Share a common agenda that emphasizes the long-term well-being of Austin’s young people.

Have access to equitable and consistent funding and timely, relevant, high-quality, and easily usable data.

Recognize that achieving equitable educational outcomes for all young people benefits the economic health of the whole community.

Understand that education is the primary pathway to economic opportunity.

Engage in collaborative efforts to challenge and break down barriers by envisioning new ways to educate youth.

Use data to identify barriers that are keeping young people from reaching their potential.

Safety nets and re-engagement opportunities for those who need them.

Positive relationships with supportive adults and peers.

THEORY OF CHANGE

Policymakers and institutional leaders commit to building long-term pathways for youth success rather than emphasizing short-term goals.

Children, youth, and families participate actively in identifying needs and promoting change by having a seat at the decision-

making table.

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BACKGROUND

Austin 2030 is group of Austin leaders who are civic-minded and passionate about education. We seek to be representative, not exclusive, and are drawn from the grassroots and the grasstops of Austin. We are outraged by the gross inequities that exist in our community and are motivated to take transformative action together. We know that deep systemic transformation is needed to change the current outcomes. And we firmly believe it starts with culture change at the community-level.

CONTEXT

Austin, Texas, has many strengths. It has a booming economy and is entrepreneurial, creative, weird, friendly, strong in technology and the arts, progressive, young, and energetic. The city also faces some significant challenges, including rapid growth, a lack of coordination and planning, and complicated state politics. Despite the strong economy, income inequality and a long history of racial segregation have led to highly inequitable outcomes for Austin’s children and youth.

Austin 2030 is committed to using a collective impact approach that brings together representatives from multiple organizations who commit to addressing a large-scale community-wide challenge through developing a shared agenda, communicating openly and continuously, engaging in and collaborating on mutually reinforcing activities, and using shared measurement to assess progress.

APPROACH

Despite significant demographic and economic changes, our educational system has changed very little in over a century. As a result, educational inequities are increasing and young people are inadequately prepared for the demands of a rapidly changing information economy. New research in brain science offers insight into the ways education must transform in order to provide relational, holistic, and future-focused opportunities for all of Austin’s young people.

PURPOSE

What is the Austin 2030 Network?