What is the Success Sequence?

The Success Sequence is a research-based framework that, when followed, helps young people both avoid and get out of poverty. The steps for the Success Sequence are:

1. Graduate from high school (and pursue further education, if possible)
2. Get a full-time job
3. For those who want kids, establish a healthy marriage before having a baby (and, for those that don’t, avoid an unplanned pregnancy)

Research shows that 97% of young people who acheive these milestones are not living in poverty in their 30's, and more than 80% are living in mid to upper income levels. This is true when controlling for race, SES, gender, and a variety of other demographic factors.

Simply put, getting an education, pursuing work, and being intentional about parenthood sets young people up for for a more stable and successful future.

In September of 2025, the Utah Marriage Commission, in collaboration with the Utah State Board of Education and national curriculum expert Marline E. Pearson, developed three Success Sequence lessons in response to the passing of HB281. This includes two Health lessons, and one Financial Literacy lesson.

These lessons range in length between 1-2 class period and 3-4 class periods and are intended to serve as a drop-in lessons for Utah teachers to assist them in presenting the Success Sequence in a way that fulfills the legal requirements in addition to teaching positive decision-making and healthy relationship skills.

Through the Success Sequence lessons, students learn to:

• Understand how education, employment, and marriage timing influence long-term financial and family stability
• Apply intentional decision-making skills using the “Decide, Don’t Slide” framework
• Recognize how relationship choices impact future outcomes
• Strengthen personal agency and align present decisions with future goals

CTE Specialists from the Utah State Board of Education have already begun distributing the Financial Literacy lesson to teachers, receiving positive feedback after preliminary implementation. In December of 2025, the two health lessons were approved for the USBE Altitude curriculum database at a "Recommended Limited" approval rating — the highest rating available to supplemental lessons focusing on a single Utah Health Education standard.

The lesson plans, available below at no cost to Utah teachers, include all of the necessary materials, including a teacher script, accompanying PowerPoint slides, and active-learning exercises that encourage student engagement and application of principles. 

Additionally, the Utah Marriage Commission and Marline E. Pearson have partnered to provide Utah teachers with training opportunities focused on helping them better understand the Success Sequence, and providing them with guidance in implementing these lesson plans in the classroom. Recorded and live webinar trainings will be open for registration in September, 2026. 

If you have any questions about the development or use of these materials, please reach out to us: marriagecommission@usu.edu