The Center for American Progress’ K-12 Education team is committed to developing policies for a new education agenda that is rooted in the idea of opportunity for all, with equity in access at the center. This agenda focuses on five key components: (1) applying an explicit race equity lens to policy development; (2) preparing all students for college, civic engagement, and the future workforce; (3) modernizing and elevating the teaching profession; (4) dramatically increasing investments in public schools and improving the equity of existing investments; and (5) bringing a balanced approach to charter school policy.
How the Underfunding of K-12 Public Schools Impacts Students, Educators, and Families
Students, educators, and family members describe how the underfunding of K-12 public schools has negatively impacted their experiences and opportunities.
Budget Reconciliation Must Support a Quality Education for All Students
Ensuring a quality education for America’s students during the COVID-19 pandemic will require a range of federal and state supports, as well as efforts to build a robust economy that works for everyone.
Future of Testing in Education: The Way Forward for State Standardized Tests
There are valid criticisms about the current structure of state standardized testing in schools; the solution is not to get rid of these assessments but rather to design them differently.
Future of Testing in Education: Effective and Equitable Assessment Systems
This analysis of testing in schools shows what the current debate gets wrong, and how educators and policymakers can create a future where assessments are a more effective part of the teaching and learning system.
Fact Sheet: Targeted Grants for Educational Excellence Program
This fact sheet outlines the details of a proposed grant program that would increase recruitment and retention of highly qualified educators in schools with the highest teacher turnover.
The Center for American Progress proposes a new grant program to address the working conditions that contribute to job dissatisfaction and high turnover among the nation’s K-12 teachers in order to increase equal access to highly qualified teachers.
The Secretary’s Proposed Priorities for Discretionary Grants Programs
In these comments, the Center for American Progress provides support for the secretary’s six proposed priorities and offers some additional recommendations to further strengthen them.
Social and Emotional Supports for Educators During and After the Pandemic
As K-12 districts and schools plan for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that providing social and emotional supports for educators is a key part of the conversation.
Recommending the Reestablishment of Five White House Initiatives
In this letter, Khalilah Harris recommends that the Biden administration reestablish five White House initiatives housed in the Department of Education.
