Overview
NorthStar Education Partners collaborated with EdReports to develop a strategic plan that answers key strategic questions and establishes priorities for the future. Our partnership aimed to leverage EdReports’ growth and successes to date while positioning the organization for sustained impact and expansion.
Objectives
EdReports partnered with NorthStar to:
- Conduct a current state assessment to provide a clear snapshot of organizational strengths, areas for improvement, and key questions to be answered. This included synthesizing existing data, assessing market share and pricing, and engaging staff and stakeholders for diverse perspectives.
- Revisit and refresh EdReports’ “north stars” for the strategic planning process, including the theory of action, equity commitments, and organizational goals.
- Answer strategic questions grounded in analysis and findings from the current state assessment, relating to EdReports’ future strategy.
- Package the strategic plan in a format that can be easily shared with staff, funders, and stakeholders.
- Develop systems needed to track progress in implementing the strategic plan.
Partner
EdReports
Enrollment & Schools
Serving a national audience with over 40 staff members
Mission Statement
EdReports is an independent nonprofit designed to improve K-12 education. EdReports.org increases the capacity of teachers, administrators, and leaders to seek, identify, and demand the highest quality instructional materials. Drawing upon expert educators, our reviews of instructional materials and support of smart adoption processes equip teachers with excellent materials nationwide.
Key Activities & Deliverables
Current State Assessment
- Organizational Assessment: Identified key strengths, areas for improvement, and strategic questions through a synthesis of existing data and stakeholder engagement.
- Market Analysis: Assessed market share and pricing, providing recommendations for product positioning and future capabilities.
Strategic Plan Development
- Mission and Vision Refresh: Revisited and updated EdReports’ mission, theory of action, equity commitments, and organizational goals.
- Strategic Questions: Addressed key questions such as the demand for technical assistance, pricing strategies, and content area expansion.
- Growth Strategy: Developed criteria for growth, updated decision-making models, and aligned staffing, financial, and operating models with the new strategic direction.
Implementation Planning
- Implementation Roadmap: Created a multi-year roadmap outlining strategic initiatives by year, with clear ownership and metrics for success.
- Financial and Staffing Models: Developed an Excel-based model for staffing and financial planning, including revenue and expense projections.
Communication and Engagement
- Engagement Plan: Facilitated norms for engagement and created an organizational plan for stakeholder involvement throughout the strategic planning process.
- Branded Strategic Plan Document: Compiled all deliverables into a cohesive, branded document for sharing with staff, funders, and stakeholders.
Outcomes
The collaboration resulted in a comprehensive strategic plan that provides a clear path forward for EdReports. The plan includes refined organizational goals, a sustainable growth strategy, and an actionable implementation roadmap. EdReports is now better positioned to expand its impact and continue serving the educational community effectively.
Read more case studies and learn how NorthStar Education Partners is transforming education through strategic partnerships and innovative approaches.