5 Steps for Building & Strengthening Students’ Networks
Ensuring that Every Student Graduates with the Networks Needed to Thrive
What is this playbook and who is it for?
This playbook was developed by the Clayton Christensen Institute to help K–12 and postsecondary leadership and nonprofits that work with those institutions implement and adapt strategies, tools, and metrics that build and strengthen their students’ networks in support of their well-being and with the aim of expanding their postsecondary and career options. Although we offer tools and tactics that could be implemented in standalone programming or courses, we urge users to treat network-building as a system-wide goal, rather than a one-off effort reserved for only a few students.
How to use this playbook
Each design step summarizes relevant research, strategies for translating the research into practice, and real-world examples of the design in practice. We recommend readers download the customizable plan and fill it out while going through each design step. This plan includes reflection questions to drive both design and measurement, as well as prompts to identify strategies to implement with colleagues and students.
Share & Learn
Innovation is a process, not a destination. As schools,
postsecondary institutions, and student support organizations invest in students’ networks, they’re learning in
real time about what works, for whom, and in what circumstances. We’ll continue to document and share their
approaches and are eager to learn alongside you as this work evolves.
Share this playbook with your networks:
This playbook was produced with support from:
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