Statement
November 8, 2024
JFF’s Federal Policy Blueprint for the Trump Administration
Recommendations for the Incoming President’s First 100 Days and Beyond
Practices & Centers
Policy & Advocacy
We are advancing evidence-based policy to enact changes in the education system and the workforce.
Contact us to learn more
We believe in the power of nonpartisan policy reform to create conditions for all to thrive.
Nearly half of U.S. workers are in low-paying jobs. Systemic issues in education, employment, and workforce development prevent millions of people from advancing economically and threaten our 10-year goal of 75 million people working in quality jobs.
The Policy & Advocacy team at Jobs for the Future leads the national conversation on equitable economic advancement, influences state and national discussions, and designs practice-informed solutions. Our work is bold and field-tested, and we work on both sides of the aisle.
Key Initiatives
Policy Solutions for Equitable Economic Advancement
We champion practice-informed, nonpartisan policy approaches for changes in the education system and workforce systems. We provide expert guidance to federal and state policymakers and other stakeholders through forums and institutes, subject-matter expertise, and design and implementation assistance.
Financing the Future
We explore innovative ideas for financing education to increase affordability, quality, and employer engagement.
News & Ideas
Case Study
September 6, 2024
Toward the Big Blur: Momentum and Progress in Indiana
In our latest case study featuring leading-edge states, Jobs for the Future (JFF) highlights key policies and initiatives Indiana is implementing to move toward erasing the arbitrary boundaries between high school, college, and work and…
Post
Four State Laws That Could Blur the Lines Between School and Work
August 27, 2024
Report/Research
July 8, 2024
No Dead Ends Policy Road Map
Policy Recommendations for Ensuring Boundless Opportunities at School, at Work, and in Life No Dead Ends offers a common-sense, field-tested policy road map for re-engineering our education and workforce systems so everyone has boundless opportunities…
Report/Research
August 8, 2024
Toward the Big Blur: Reshaping Teaching for Grades 11-14
Jobs for the Future’s (JFF) vision for the Big Blur calls for entirely new educational institutions and systems to better prepare 16-to-20-year-olds for college and careers. This paper examines how instructor preparation, state accountability systems,…
Report/Research
May 22, 2024
Driving Improved Workforce Outcomes Through Data Access, Alignment, and Integration
Recommendations from the Workforce Transformation Policy Council In 2023, JFF and the National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) formed the Task Force on Data Access, Alignment and Integration for Improved Workforce Outcomes, an offshoot of the…
Post
March 4, 2024
No Dead Ends: A Policy Agenda Both Sides Can Agree On
This Election Year, Help Us Put an End to Dead Ends at Work, at School, and in Life
Report/Research
March 25, 2024
Recommendations for a Fully Funded and Transformed Workforce Development System
In this brief, Jobs for the Future (JFF) presents our policy recommendations for overhauling the U.S. workforce development and postsecondary education systems—and putting millions more people on pathways to quality jobs. Recommendations Endnotes This…
Statement
JFF Supports WIOA Consideration, Urges Continued Refinement
April 9, 2024
Post
Bipartisan Progress Is Possible: Advice for Congress in 2023
January 4, 2023
Post
We Must Act Now to Prevent the Next Student Debt Crisis
March 2, 2023
Post
Five Actions That States Should Take to Help People Rebound, Spur Job Growth, and Transform Education and Workforce Development Systems
February 14, 2022Featured Projects
No Dead Ends
No Dead Ends is JFF’s national policy campaign for eliminating dead ends at school, at work, and in life.
Financing the Future
JFF’s Financing the Future initiative reimagines the way we finance education and skills development.
Federal Policymaker Networks
JFF’s Congressional Staff and Executive Branch Networks on Economic Advancement connect federal policymakers with practitioners from across the country to learn about evidence-based, replicable, and innovative practices that meet the nation’s most complex education and workforce challenges.
Policy Leadership Trust
JFF established the Policy Leadership Trust to marshal evidence, expertise, and insights of postsecondary practitioners to influence the direction of state and federal policy. Community college leaders and state system officials serving on the trust identify how policy can help more learners and workers attain credentials and skills and succeed in the labor market.
When Policy Meets Practice Podcast Series
Hosted by longtime higher education journalist Paul Fain, the podcast features conversations with prominent community college leaders about the policy approaches that work best for workers, learners, and employers, and those that fall short.
Impact Stories
Essential for a Post-COVID Economy: Recommendations for a Fully Funded and Transformed Workforce Development System
The United States has been long overdue for transformation of its postsecondary education and workforce development systems, and the pandemic exponentially increased the need.
State Policy Framework for Building Equitable Pathways
This tool was co-created with input from Building Equitable Pathways' Community of Practice members to support policy improvement.
Exploring Racial and Gender Differences in ISA Contract Terms and Repayment Patterns
Income share agreements (ISAs) have garnered significant excitement as a new tool to finance postsecondary education. JFF analyzed a proprietary data set of ISA contract holders and found no consistent and significant favorability toward one racial/ethnic or gender group over another.
Team
Karishma Merchant
Associate Vice PresidentKarishma Merchant is associate vice president of Policy & Advocacy at JFF. She leads nonpartisan engagement with federal and state policymakers to craft education and workforce policies that drive equitable economic advancement for all. Before…
Mary Gardner Clagett
Senior DirectorMary Gardner Clagett is a senior director in the Policy & Advocacy practice at JFF. She works with workforce policy leaders and practitioners nationwide to shape effective policy recommendations for U.S. workers and the U.S.…
Taylor Maag
Director of Workforce PolicyTaylor Maag is a director of workforce policy in Policy & Advocacy at JFF. She leads JFF’s federal and state workforce policy efforts, conducting research, developing solutions, writing policy recommendations, and convening necessary partners to…
Ethan Pollack
Senior DirectorEthan Pollack is a senior director in the Policy & Advocacy practice at JFF. He leads the Financing the Future initiative, which explores new approaches to financing postsecondary education. He tracks the evolution and performance…
David Altstadt
DirectorDavid Altstadt is a director in the Policy & Advocacy practice at JFF. He develops nonpartisan policy solutions and cultivates partnerships with policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to influence the direction of national and state policies…
Erica Cuevas
DirectorErica Cuevas is a director in the Policy & Advocacy practice at JFF. She leads policy analysis, research, advocacy, and communications efforts to strengthen federal and state policy to spur innovation and improve pathways across…