American Diploma Project (ADP) Network states have committed to raising their high school standards and graduation requirements to a college- and career-ready level and to adopting assessment, data and accountability systems to support these goals. Given the complexity of these reforms, state leaders are increasingly mindful that sustaining reforms over the long haul, so that they may take hold, is just as important as the policy changes themselves. Only sustained reforms will result in improved student achievement and high school graduates who are prepared for college and careers.

To help state leaders build strategies for sustaining their education agendas over the long run, Achieve has launched Taking Root: Strategies for Sustaining the College- and Career Ready-Agenda, generously funded by the GE Foundation. 

The project includes:

• Four case studies that examine both the governmental and non-governmental strategies that were effective in making reform last in Indiana, Massachusetts, South Carolina and Texas.
• A lessons learned paper that draws on and synthesizes the case studies' ten overarching lessons and strategies for sustainability.
• An audit tool that states can use in their own planning.

Achieve has also developed an accompanying set of tools and resources around communications, under the banner Taking Root: Communicating the College- and Career-Ready Agenda, recognizing that strategic communications and outreach are critical for the adoption, implementation and sustainability of college- and career-ready policies.