Center for American Progress Center for American Progress
Issues Domestic & Economy Education

Education

Top Features

The Future of Teacher Compensation

The Future of Teacher Compensation

Joan Baratz-Snowden discusses lessons learned from performance pay programs and outlines key strategies for designing future programs.
Choosing More Time for Students

Choosing More Time for Students

Elena Rocha's new report explains why the recent push for extended learning time in schools could and should lead to meaningful reform.
Leaders and Laggards

Leaders and Laggards

A joint platform for education reform from the Center for American Progress and U.S. Chamber of Commerce with interactive U.S. map.

Other Education Features

May 1, 2008

Soaring Food Prices Mean Less Education for Poor

Rising food prices have led to deadly riots in fledging democracies such as Haiti and caused World Bank President Robert Zoellick to project that 100 million more people will fall into poverty. By Gene Sperling
April 29, 2008

Alternative Routes to Teacher Preparation

CAP event brings together education experts to discuss a new report arguing for the development of alternative teacher preparation programs.
April 28, 2008

Thinking Outside the University

New report on alternative certification delves into the history and current research about these techniques and profiles innovative programs around the country. By Davida Gatlin
April 25, 2008

Making the Most Out of Service

Service learning keeps students engaged and boosts graduation rates, but we need to rethink the way programs are funded, writes Shirley Sagawa. By Shirley Sagawa
April 23, 2008

There’s More to College than Just Getting In

We need an aggressive national effort to better prepare all students to finish their college degree, write Robin Chait and Louis Soares. By Robin Chait, Louis Soares
April 16, 2008

Analysis of CAP Report on Rural Learning Opportunities

Terry K. Peterson, the Director of the Afterschool and Community Learning Network, highlights the importance of afterschool and expanded learning time for rural students.
April 8, 2008

Rural Schools Need Support

Education experts gather at CAP event to discuss afterschool learning and challenges facing rural schools.
April 4, 2008

Additional Learning Opportunities in Rural Areas

A new report examines the challenges facing rural schools that serve low-income areas and offers ideas for successful programs. By Roy Forbes
March 27, 2008

What’s Not Being Said About Sex—And Who It’s Hurting

Abstinence-only programs are contributing to higher-than-ever rates of sexually transmitted infections among teen girls, writes Julie F. Kay. By Julie F. Kay
March 12, 2008

Principals Matter: Strong Leadership is Key for Struggling Schools

Experts gather at CAP to discuss a new report from New Leaders for New Schools on the benefits of good principals in struggling schools.
March 5, 2008

Nationalize the Schools (...A Little)!

Education experts meet at CAP to discuss what the federal government’s role should be in education reform.
February 26, 2008

Nationalize the Schools (...A Little)!

New report details how transcending traditional local control in schools can create genuine autonomy and meet modern challenges. By Matt Miller
February 21, 2008

Giving All Students the Opportunity to Learn

Why do we need to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act? What are the key weaknesses of the bill? And how can it be improved? By Robin Chait
February 19, 2008

NCLB and Latinos: No Latino Child Left Behind Matters

Elena Rocha presents principles that should underpin Latino student achievement through congressional reauthorization of NCLB. By Elena Rocha
February 14, 2008

The AmeriCorps Role in Education Reform

AmeriCorps members are engaging schools in unprecedented numbers, and they could play an important role in reforming the system.
February 13, 2008

AmeriCorps Study Shows Improvement

Shirley Sagawa released some results from her upcoming report, which show that AmeriCorps can fill an important void in American education. By Shirley Sagawa
February 4, 2008

Start the Surge: Reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act Now

President Bush and lawmakers should step up this year and commit to making NCLB more effective, writes Robin Chait. By Robin Chait
February 4, 2008

This Week in Congress 2.4.08-2.8.08

From economic stimulus to FISA and education, CAP provides you with resources to say on top of the week on the Hill.
January 28, 2008

The State of Latinos in the Union

A by the numbers look at the disproportionate setbacks that Latinos have faced during the Bush White House’s tenure.
January 23, 2008

First, Kill All the School Boards

When you look at what local control of education has wrought, the conclusion is inescapable: we must carry Mann’s insights to their logical end and nationalize our schools, to some degree. But before delving into the details of why and how, let’s back up for a moment and consider what brought us to this pass. By Matt Miller
December 13, 2007

Smaller classes: the wrong investment for city schools

By Robert Gordon
December 7, 2007

Lifelong Learning: New Strategies for the Education of Working Adults

Part of the Progressive Growth series, this paper identifies adults who could benefit from lifelong learning and suggests policies to help them. By Brian Bosworth
December 6, 2007

Current Pay-for-Performance Programs

Differential pay can improve teacher quality, address shortages, and more. These charts show how states and districts are using such programs.
December 5, 2007

Pairing Leadership with Education

CAP event brings experts together to discuss how principal pay incentives can attract leaders to America’s high-need schools.
December 4, 2007

Principal Compensation: More Research Needed on a Promising Reform

This report examines research on principal compensation and suggests a strategy for compensation reform. By Dan Goldhaber
November 29, 2007

What is the Urban National Assessment Data Telling Us?

The National Assessment of Educational Progress' most recent Trial Urban District Assessment shows that not all city schools are created equal.
November 28, 2007

Progressive Growth

A new plan for the next administration to transform America's economy through clean energy, innovation, and opportunity. By John Podesta, Sarah Rosen Wartell, David Madland
November 6, 2007

Teacher Pay Reforms Must Focus Incentives on Improving Student Learning

Experts at a CAP event discuss the need for reforming traditional teacher pay schedules to reward success in collaborative environments.
November 5, 2007

Current State Policies that Reform Teacher Pay

Robin Chait analyzes current state programs to find answers to questions posed by both critics and advocates of performance pay. By Robin Chait
October 26, 2007

Public Opinion Snapshot: Moving Education into the 21st Century

Americans favor two key educational reforms, alternative teacher pay and extended learning time, both of which Congress is now considering. By Ruy Teixeira
October 22, 2007

Minnesota Principal Talks Teacher Compensation: Interview with Ron Wilke

An elementary school principal talks about the early success of an alternative teacher compensation program in his Minnesota school.
October 22, 2007

Early Success for Performance Pay: Educators Speak About Programs

CAP interviews educators whose schools are using an innovative system to reform teacher compensation and improve student achievement.
October 22, 2007

Q Comp Success: Interview with Dan Hoverman

A superintendent talks about the early success of an alternative teacher compensation program in his Minnesota district
October 17, 2007

Moving On Up

As higher education becomes more competitive, many schools are focusing on non-education-related statistics that will build fame, wealth, and exclusivity.
October 15, 2007

Interactive Map: The Targets of Bush's Education Cuts

Interactive map shows how much money will be taken away from elementary and secondary schools if Bush gets his way with the budget.
October 1, 2007

Getting the Facts Straight on Performance Pay in the Proposed Draft of Title II of NCLB

Our education experts set the record straight on how teacher compensation will boost achievement, particularly for minority students. By Cynthia G. Brown, Robin Chait
September 18, 2007

Serving America: A National Service Agenda for the Next Decade

Senior Fellow Shirley Sagawa outlines a plan for transforming national service into large-scale efforts to solve America’s most pressing problems. By Shirley Sagawa
September 10, 2007

This Week in Congress: 9.10.07-9.14.07

From U.S. strategy in Iraq to improving elementary school education, CAP provides you with resources to stay on top of the week on the Hill.
August 22, 2007

Bolstering U.S. Education: Studies Support Graduation Promise Act

Two new R’s for the high school reform movement—Resources for Recovery—would help all students graduate from high school. By Robin Chait
August 8, 2007

The Power of Differential Pay

Congress has the opportunity this fall to improve teacher quality by supporting differential pay programs, argues Robin Chait. By Robin Chait
July 11, 2007

Dealing with Debt

Skyrocketing tuition costs and uncontrolled interest rates overburden college students. Before the school year starts, Congress can help.
July 9, 2007

This Week in Congress: 7.9.07 - 7.13.07

From Iraq to children’s health care to housing, CAP provides you with resources to stay on top of the week on the Hill.
June 20, 2007

Summer of Service: A New Rite of Passage for Young Teens

Proposals to boost summer community service among teenagers before they enter high school are promising, says Shirley Sagawa. By Shirley Sagawa
May 21, 2007

How To: Make Every Child a Graduate

Thousands of high school students will not receive a diploma this graduation season. Here’s how we can help every student become a graduate.
May 16, 2007

Federal aid fails needy students

By Kate Sabatini, Pedro de la Torre III
May 15, 2007

A Half-Million Strong: AmeriCorps Volunteers Make a Difference

National AmeriCorps Week is a timely reminder of the important public services provided by this progressive program, writes Shirley Sagawa. By Shirley Sagawa
May 11, 2007

Quality Teachers, Quality Schools

CAP President and CEO John Podesta testifies to the House Education and Labor Committee on how to improve education by boosting teacher quality. By John Podesta
May 8, 2007

How to Cut Poverty in Half in Just Four Steps

Thirty-seven million Americans live in poverty. We can cut that number in half in the next decade. Here’s how.
May 2, 2007

Expanding Learning Time Through Supplemental Educational Services

New report from Elena Rocha and Cindy Brown shows how to boost achievement by expanding supplemental educational services. By Elena Rocha, Cynthia G. Brown

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Where We Stand on Domestic and Economy

CAP’s policy priorities for U.S. domestic and economic policymaking center on building opportunities for all Americans to share in the American Dream. Our policy work concentrates on the core engines that drive equal opportunity, economic mobility, and shared prosperity—education, health care, housing, government oversight, tax reform, and technology innovation. Our progressive domestic and economic priorities underscore our commitment to government that works for the common good.