At the heart of transformative collaboration is the Learning Collaborative Framework©(LC Framework©)—an evidence-based approach designed to drive positive social impact. This groundbreaking Framework© positions evaluators as key partners in collaborative efforts, applying evaluation expertise to build capacity for evidence-based collaboration across various fields, segments, and sectors of society. Focused on equitable social impact, the LC Framework© provides a clear structure, systematic process, and adaptable tools for addressing challenges to effective collaboration – such as misaligned systems and metrics, resource limitations, differing policies, and diverging priorities – which have historically hindered collaboratives from achieving their goals.
The Learning Collaborative Institute (LCI) has validated the LC Framework© in the education sector, with over nine years of committed implementation across seven educational institutions and multiple cross-sector organizations. The result? Unprecedented equitable student outcomes; intersegmental and cross-sectoral alignment of systems, policies, and practices; and inclusive culture change. Whether in education, healthcare, or social services, this Framework© provides a roadmap for evaluators and partners to work together toward sustainable, equitable social impact.
LCI was delighted to showcase the power of the LC Framework© at September’s EES Bi-annual Conference in Rimini, Italy, where we led an interactive panel discussing how the expertise and tools of evaluators are uniquely and optimally suited for supporting evidence-based collaboration, and where we hosted an exhibit table which engaged colleagues from around the world in conversations about critically important applications of the Learning Collaborative Framework©. Evaluators, we believe, are uniquely positioned to collaborate with partners and guide efforts using the LC Framework© to achieve lasting social impact. In this article, we share a few of the key elements of the LC Framework© and a compelling case study of its impact in an intersegmental, cross-sectoral educational collaborative.
LCI's case study involves an educational Collaborative of primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in the state of California in the United States. Despite significant investments in education globally, collaboratives have often struggled to achieve social impact outcomes. The LC Framework© fills this gap by offering a structured, evidence-based approach and a set of practices and tools that promote effective collaboration and social impact.
Over nine years, this Collaborative reversed a trend in which only 14% of enrolled college students earned credits toward a degree. By applying the LC Framework©to collaborative systems change, within only two years, 85% of students were able to sustain credit-earning enrollment. Further, the Collaborative was able to expand the participation of students with low socio-economic standing and students of color, who are widely underrepresented in higher education in the United States, in programs that are powerful drivers of access to higher education. Participation in these programs tripled among Latinx students and doubled among low-income students, and African American students attained the highest participation rate of any student group.
These unparalleled results were made possible through collaboration that made use of the LC Framework© and its reliance on evaluative thinking, developmental evaluation approaches, and data-driven decision-making. The case study highlights the power of evaluators and practitioners as partners in using data to guide and drive positive social impact.
As evaluators, we know that data are vital to the success of Collaboratives as they bring a unique set of skills that can help develop shared vision, guide Collaboratives to align on priorities, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. Below are a few examples of evaluation skills and tools that we have found to be critical to effective collaboration:
By leveraging their skills, evaluators help ensure that data are used effectively to guide collaborative priorities, build trust among partners, and promote social impact. The LC Framework© equips evaluators to navigate collaborative challenges and promote a shared commitment to data-driven, social impact outcomes.
LCI’s participation at the EES conference reinvigorated our commitment to collaborating with international Partners to expand the global impact of the LCFramework©. We invite collaborators from across sectors and nations to reach out and explore how we might collaborate to apply our respective expertise in various contexts to advance positive social change.
We look forward to learning from your experiences and partnering with you to apply the LC Framework© to unlock the power of evidence-based collaboration.
With over 90 years of combined experience, the LCI team consists of evaluators and technical assistance providers from diverse backgrounds. We specialize in achieving social impact outcomes and have partnered with leaders in government, NGOs, academia, and collaboratives worldwide. To learn more, visit us online or find us on social media.
Keywords: Evaluation Framework, Social Impact, Collaborative Practices,Evaluative Thinking, Developmental Evaluation, Evidence-Based, Intersectoral Collaboratives, Inclusive Culture Change.