5 Evidence-Based Strategies To Improve U.S. K-12 Math Achievement in Wake of 2025 PISA Results ReportSeptember 16, 2026 5 Evidence-Based Strategies To Improve U.S. K-12 Math Achievement in Wake of 2025 PISA Results As newly released scores on the global PISA exam show U.S. students trailing other advanced nations in mathematics, federal and state policymakers must act urgently to invest in math education and prepare students for economic competitiveness. Sep 16, 2026 Weadé James, Paige Shoemaker DeMio, Olivia O’Connell
Weighted Student Funding: Successes and Challenges in the K-12 Education Landscape ArticleAugust 25, 2026 Weighted Student Funding: Successes and Challenges in the K-12 Education Landscape As more school systems adopt student-based funding, early evidence shows that it successfully targets resources to students with greater needs and boosts academic achievement. Aug 25, 2026 Olivia O’Connell
Miami-Dade eliminated free school meals. They won’t be the last. In the NewsAugust 12, 2026 Miami-Dade eliminated free school meals. They won’t be the last. In an op-ed for K-12 Dive, Paige Shoemaker DeMio warns that the Trump administration's safety net cuts mean Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the nation's third-largest district, will not be the last to eliminate free school meals for students. Aug 12, 2026 K-12 Dive Paige Shoemaker DeMio
The Trump Administration Moves To Tighten Grip on Colleges ReportJuly 14, 2026 The Trump Administration Moves To Tighten Grip on Colleges New rules would gut key student protections on program quality and give the federal government leverage to exert ideological control over American higher education. Jul 14, 2026 Evan Yi, Madison Weiss, Sara Partridge
Career and Technical Education Policy: A Multistate Case Study on Employment Outcomes ReportJuly 13, 2026 Career and Technical Education Policy: A Multistate Case Study on Employment Outcomes There is growing interest in scaling career and technical education, yet barriers to advancement remain. This report offers policy recommendations and case studies from states to expand these opportunities for more students. Jul 13, 2026 Veronica Goodman, Weadé James
‘Workforce Pell’ Is Here: How Governors Can Make It Work for Students In the NewsJuly 7, 2026 ‘Workforce Pell’ Is Here: How Governors Can Make It Work for Students Madison Weiss writes in Governing about the expansion of the Pell Grant program. Jul 7, 2026 Governing Madison Weiss
Fact Sheet: Congressional Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill Threatens Access to Free School Meals Fact SheetJuly 7, 2026 Fact Sheet: Congressional Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill Threatens Access to Free School Meals A new CAP analysis estimates that families could be forced to spend an additional $1,900 to $2,200 per year to cover the cost of school meals. Jul 7, 2026 Evan Yi, Mimla Wardak, Paige Shoemaker DeMio
Congressional Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill Threatens Access to Free School Meals ReportJuly 7, 2026 Congressional Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill Threatens Access to Free School Meals Students across the country could lose access to free school meals, forcing the typical family with two children to spend $1,900 to $2,200 more per year for school meals. Jul 7, 2026 Paige Shoemaker DeMio, Mimla Wardak, Evan Yi
Making Workforce Pell Deliver: 9 Options for States To Improve Outcomes for Students and Employers ReportJuly 6, 2026 Making Workforce Pell Deliver: 9 Options for States To Improve Outcomes for Students and Employers Governors can help tailor Workforce Pell programs to provide high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand training that meets their state’s labor market needs. Jul 6, 2026 Madison Weiss
How Early Childhood and K-12 Systems Can Work Together To Support Early Literacy ReportJune 29, 2026 How Early Childhood and K-12 Systems Can Work Together To Support Early Literacy Amid declining reading scores, early childhood education and K-12 systems should work together to improve reading achievement for young children. Jun 29, 2026 Casey Peeks, Weadé James
Trump Rule Changes Would Kneecap Head Start In the NewsJune 26, 2026 Trump Rule Changes Would Kneecap Head Start In an op-ed for The Progressive Magazine, Hailey Gibbs argues that a proposed Trump administration rule change would exacerbate child care shortages, keep educators trapped in poverty-level wages, and ultimately harm children and families. Jun 26, 2026 The Progressive Magazine Hailey Gibbs
6 Things To Know About Vocational Education ArticleJune 17, 2026 6 Things To Know About Vocational Education There is a growing demand for vocational education that prepares students for work and leads to higher earnings. Jun 17, 2026 Veronica Goodman, Weadé James
CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Wage and Benefits Improvements for Head Start Workforce ArticleJune 11, 2026 CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Wage and Benefits Improvements for Head Start Workforce The Center for American Progress recently submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opposing the revocation of a 2024 rule improving Head Start staff and educator wages and benefits. Jun 11, 2026 Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks
CAP Comments on Individual Tax Credit for Qualified Contributions to Scholarship-Granting Organizations ArticleJune 2, 2026 CAP Comments on Individual Tax Credit for Qualified Contributions to Scholarship-Granting Organizations The Center for American Progress submitted comments to the U.S. Department of the Treasury on the pending rules for the new individual tax credit program, which provides a federal dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $1,700 to individuals who donate to scholarship-granting organizations. Jun 2, 2026 Weadé James, Paige Shoemaker DeMio
Nearly Two-Thirds of Governors Prioritize Child Care and Early Learning in Their 2026 State of the State Addresses ReportMay 26, 2026 Nearly Two-Thirds of Governors Prioritize Child Care and Early Learning in Their 2026 State of the State Addresses Amid federal funding cuts that strain state budgets, CAP analysis finds that governors are highlighting child care and early learning as priorities for their constituents. May 26, 2026 Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks
Measuring America’s Licensed Child Care Supply ReportApril 29, 2026 Measuring America’s Licensed Child Care Supply Analysis conducted in 2025 measuring families’ access to child care programs, a crucial first step to mitigating the child care supply crisis. Apr 29, 2026 Hailey Gibbs, Won F. Lee, Gabrielle Pepin, 2 More Katharine Sadowski, Aaron Sojourner
America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts ReportApril 29, 2026 America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts Eight years after our initial report, CAP’s 2026 analyses of U.S. licensed child care supply reveal that just fewer than half of the nation's young children still live in child care deserts. Apr 29, 2026 Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks
Executive Summary: America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts Fact SheetApril 29, 2026 Executive Summary: America’s Licensed Child Care Deserts Lawmakers must address the nation’s child care supply crisis; according to CAP’s 2026 analysis, nearly half of young children are in licensed child care deserts, with rural areas facing the worst shortages. Apr 29, 2026 Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks
Successful Cellphone Bans Require Partnerships With Families In the NewsApril 28, 2026 Successful Cellphone Bans Require Partnerships With Families In an op-ed for Inside Sources, Weadé James writes that parents and caregivers are essential in helping to curb excessive cellphone use in schools. Apr 28, 2026 Inside Sources Weadé James
Stabilizing and Strengthening State Funding for Public Higher Education After the Big Beautiful Bill ReportApril 20, 2026 Stabilizing and Strengthening State Funding for Public Higher Education After the Big Beautiful Bill Despite steep federal funding cuts in the Big Beautiful Bill, states can continue to support public higher education by creating progressive state tax revenue streams and strengthening rainy day funds to support postsecondary student success and degree completion. Apr 20, 2026 Sara Partridge
Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges Past EventApril 15, 2026 Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges Join the CAP and the Community Colleges Coalition to explore how community colleges are adapting to new federal and state policies. Online via Zoom Apr 15, 2026
CAP Urges the Department of Education To Strengthen Safeguards for Workforce Pell Grants and Protect Students From Low-Value Programs ArticleApril 14, 2026 CAP Urges the Department of Education To Strengthen Safeguards for Workforce Pell Grants and Protect Students From Low-Value Programs The Center for American Progress submitted comments to the Department of Education to ensure the program is accountable and valuable to students. Apr 14, 2026 Madison Weiss
10 Reasons the Ten Commandments Should Not Be Posted in Public School Classrooms ArticleApril 7, 2026 10 Reasons the Ten Commandments Should Not Be Posted in Public School Classrooms Some state legislatures continue to advance bills despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that such displays are unconstitutional. Religious instruction is best left to families and houses of worship. Apr 7, 2026 Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons
CAP Urges the Department of Education To Protect Access to Graduate Degrees and Lower Costs for Student Loan Borrowers ArticleMarch 10, 2026 CAP Urges the Department of Education To Protect Access to Graduate Degrees and Lower Costs for Student Loan Borrowers New Trump administration student loan policies will make postsecondary education more expensive and create new barriers for students seeking to earn graduate degrees. Mar 10, 2026 Sara Partridge, Madison Weiss
CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Improving Child Care Assistance for Low-Income Families ArticleFebruary 5, 2026 CAP Comments on HHS’ Notice Rolling Back Progress Toward Improving Child Care Assistance for Low-Income Families The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the Department of Health and Human Services opposing the agency's efforts to roll back progress toward paying child care providers more fairly and lowering costs for families. Feb 5, 2026 Hailey Gibbs, Casey Peeks
10 Policy Recommendations To Address Cellphone Use in Schools ReportFebruary 4, 2026 10 Policy Recommendations To Address Cellphone Use in Schools As school leaders raise concerns about student cellphone use in schools, policymakers can look to domestic and international examples to create student-centered policies. Feb 4, 2026 Weadé James, Paige Shoemaker DeMio
Putting Students Before Politics: A Conversation on the Future of America’s Education System With Rahm Emanuel Past EventJanuary 21, 2026 Putting Students Before Politics: A Conversation on the Future of America’s Education System With Rahm Emanuel Please join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Ambassador Rahm Emanuel as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series. Center for American Progress and online via Zoom Jan 21, 2026
Fact Sheet: How To Increase the Retention of Early Career Teachers Fact SheetDecember 18, 2025 Fact Sheet: How To Increase the Retention of Early Career Teachers A new CAP study of early career teachers explores their preparation and induction experiences and factors that affected their attrition in the field. Dec 18, 2025 Weadé James, Paige Shoemaker DeMio
How To Increase the Retention of Early Career Teachers ReportDecember 18, 2025 How To Increase the Retention of Early Career Teachers A 2025 CAP survey of early career teachers sheds light on the experiences and factors that assisted or hindered their persistence in the field. Dec 18, 2025 Weadé James, Paige Shoemaker DeMio
Healing America’s Spiritual Crisis: A Conversation With Sen. Raphael Warnock Past EventDecember 11, 2025 Healing America’s Spiritual Crisis: A Conversation With Sen. Raphael Warnock Please join the Center for American Progress to hear Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) speak as part of CAP's “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series. Center for American Progress Dec 11, 2025
Moving Federal Education Programs Will Create More Bureaucracy, Not Less ArticleDecember 10, 2025 Moving Federal Education Programs Will Create More Bureaucracy, Not Less The Trump administration is unlawfully using interagency agreements to continue its piecemeal dismantling of the Department of Education. Dec 10, 2025 Veronica Goodman, Viviann Anguiano, Weadé James
Head Start Is a Model for Supporting Child and Family Mental Health ReportDecember 2, 2025 Head Start Is a Model for Supporting Child and Family Mental Health Amid a pronounced youth mental health crisis in the United States, Head Start stands out as a crucial model for addressing the needs of vulnerable young children. Dec 2, 2025 Hailey Gibbs
How University Governing Boards Can Protect the Independence of Colleges and Universities ReportDecember 1, 2025 How University Governing Boards Can Protect the Independence of Colleges and Universities Shifting toward merit-based selection of public university board members can better protect academic freedom than politically appointed boards, which have increasingly exerted influence over state colleges and universities in recent years. Dec 1, 2025 Madison Weiss, Sara Partridge
Weakening the IDEA Threatens Millions of Disabled Americans Like Me In the NewsNovember 26, 2025 Weakening the IDEA Threatens Millions of Disabled Americans Like Me In an op-ed published by The 74, Mia Ives-Rublee talks about the important role the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act plays in ensuring disabled students receive an equitable public education. Nov 26, 2025 The 74 Mia Ives-Rublee
IDEA at 50: Why IDEA Matters to Families VideoNovember 20, 2025 IDEA at 50: Why IDEA Matters to Families Elena Hung and her daughter, Xiomara, talk about the importance of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and what they hope for the future. Nov 20, 2025 Mia Ives-Rublee, Olivia Mowry, Toni Pandolfo, 1 More Hai-Lam Phan
IDEA at 50: Resources To Support Students With Disabilities During the Week of Action ArticleNovember 14, 2025 IDEA at 50: Resources To Support Students With Disabilities During the Week of Action Fifty years after the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act transformed special education services for children with disabilities, it is important to both celebrate its legacy and confront the urgent work still needed to fulfill its promise. Nov 14, 2025 Mia Ives-Rublee, Weadé James, Casey Peeks, 3 More Hailey Gibbs, Paige Shoemaker DeMio, Casey Doherty
The Trump Administration’s Recent Special Education Layoffs Will Have Major Long-Term Impacts on Disabled Children and Students ArticleNovember 4, 2025 The Trump Administration’s Recent Special Education Layoffs Will Have Major Long-Term Impacts on Disabled Children and Students The Trump administration unlawful layoffs during the federal shutdown, in coordination with its policy changes and budget cuts, are intended to lead to closure of the Department of Education, leaving disabled children and students with fewer services and protections. Nov 4, 2025 Mia Ives-Rublee, Casey Doherty
The Trump Administration’s Latest Staffing Cuts at the Department of Education Threaten Children’s Success Across the Country ArticleOctober 28, 2025 The Trump Administration’s Latest Staffing Cuts at the Department of Education Threaten Children’s Success Across the Country Cuts to staff at the Department of Education threaten the federal government’s long-term ability to ensure equal access to education for all, including children with disabilities. Oct 28, 2025 Paige Shoemaker DeMio, Weadé James
How Changes to Fourth-Grade Reading Standards and Research-Backed Approaches Can Improve Reading Achievement ReportOctober 23, 2025 How Changes to Fourth-Grade Reading Standards and Research-Backed Approaches Can Improve Reading Achievement Four states—Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Mississippi—have shown that adopting more rigorous literacy standards and scientific approaches to reading instruction can help reverse the decline in reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Oct 23, 2025 Tania Otero Martinez, Weadé James
Child Care Professionals Are on the Front Lines as Climate Change Risks Children’s Health and Development ReportOctober 21, 2025 Child Care Professionals Are on the Front Lines as Climate Change Risks Children’s Health and Development Amid a changing climate and federal rollbacks to disaster relief and preparedness, early educators face an increasingly untenable child care landscape that will require state and local action. Oct 21, 2025 Hailey Gibbs, Nadia Gronkowski, Hester Paul, 2 More Joan Lombardi, Ph.D., Nsedu Obot Witherspoon
CAP Comments on Regulations for New Loan Limits, Repayment Plans, and Program Accountability Metrics ArticleOctober 17, 2025 CAP Comments on Regulations for New Loan Limits, Repayment Plans, and Program Accountability Metrics The Center for American Progress submitted comments to the Department of Education recommending measures to protect student loan borrowers and strengthen the quality of postsecondary programs. Oct 17, 2025 Madison Weiss, Sara Partridge, David A. Bergeron
Bolstering the Role of HBCUs in Federal Research and Development ReportSeptember 24, 2025 Bolstering the Role of HBCUs in Federal Research and Development Equitable R&D funding is key to unleashing HBCUs’ wellspring of innovation to improve America’s health, economic growth, and national security. Sep 24, 2025 Sara Partridge, Victor Santos, David K. Sheppard
The State of Online Higher Education in 2025 Past EventSeptember 16, 2025 The State of Online Higher Education in 2025 Join the Center for American Progress to discuss the current challenges in monitoring and regulating online higher education. Online Sep 16, 2025
Public Education Under Threat: 4 Trump Administration Actions To Watch in the 2025-26 School Year ReportAugust 27, 2025 Public Education Under Threat: 4 Trump Administration Actions To Watch in the 2025-26 School Year As public K-12 schools across the country face increasing threats from federal policies and actions, state and local leaders should prepare to respond. Aug 27, 2025 Paige Shoemaker DeMio, Weadé James
Recent Trends in the Cost of College Show the Continued Importance of Federal and State Investment ReportAugust 27, 2025 Recent Trends in the Cost of College Show the Continued Importance of Federal and State Investment A federal-state partnership can help bring down the cost of college for students, who today shoulder a greater share of the burden of financing postsecondary education than in previous generations, despite recent gains in college affordability. Aug 27, 2025 Sara Partridge
Back to School, New Uncertainties: How Cuts to Public Education Threaten Student Success Past EventAugust 19, 2025 Back to School, New Uncertainties: How Cuts to Public Education Threaten Student Success Join CAP for a discussion on how state and local leaders can mitigate the effects of federal cuts to public school to ensure equal access to a quality education for all students. Virtual Aug 19, 2025
Trump’s Tariff Policies Are Putting a Strain on Back-to-School Budgets ArticleAugust 19, 2025 Trump’s Tariff Policies Are Putting a Strain on Back-to-School Budgets Parents are expecting to spend up to $900 on back-to-school basics. Aug 19, 2025 Kennedy Andara, Mimla Wardak
Reaching a Boiling Point: State and Local Efforts To Protect Children From Extreme Heat Past EventAugust 13, 2025 Reaching a Boiling Point: State and Local Efforts To Protect Children From Extreme Heat Join CAP for a discussion on how to protect the United States' youngest learners from extreme heat in the face of efforts to roll back climate progress. Virtual Aug 13, 2025
‘We Are the Resources’: Head Start Is a Crucial Early Learning and Community Program for Families Nationwide VideoAugust 5, 2025 ‘We Are the Resources’: Head Start Is a Crucial Early Learning and Community Program for Families Nationwide Despite repeated attacks on the program, Head Start has a 60-year track record of providing high-quality services that prepare young children for school and set families up for success. Aug 5, 2025 Hailey Gibbs, Olivia Mowry, Toni Pandolfo
The Trump Administration’s War on Disability ReportJuly 28, 2025 The Trump Administration’s War on Disability Executive actions, budget cuts, layoffs, and legislation—all enacted in the Trump administration’s first six months—have curtailed disability rights and services, including access to Medicaid and the right to free, appropriate public education. Jul 28, 2025 Mia Ives-Rublee, Casey Doherty
Mapping Federal Funding Cuts to U.S. Colleges and Universities InteractiveJuly 23, 2025 Mapping Federal Funding Cuts to U.S. Colleges and Universities American science and innovation should not be subject to the political winds of the day. Find out how the Trump administration’s grant terminations are affecting your school, your community, and your future. Jul 23, 2025 Gréta Bedekovics, Will Ragland
Fact Sheet: What To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act Fact SheetJuly 16, 2025 Fact Sheet: What To Know About the Child Care for Working Families Act The Child Care for Working Families Act would make child care more accessible and affordable, promote high-quality care options, and support child care workers. Jul 16, 2025 The Early Childhood Policy Team
The Full Cost of Attendance: Addressing Housing, Food, and Other Barriers to Community College Student Success ReportJuly 16, 2025 The Full Cost of Attendance: Addressing Housing, Food, and Other Barriers to Community College Student Success Although community colleges offer low tuition, students still face steep costs for essentials such as housing, food, transportation, child care, and supplies—barriers that policymakers must address to make college truly affordable. Jul 16, 2025 Veronica Goodman, Madison Weiss, Sara Partridge
Class of 2025 Forum: Student Perspectives on Public Education’s Value and Impact Past EventJuly 10, 2025 Class of 2025 Forum: Student Perspectives on Public Education’s Value and Impact Please join the Center for American Progress for an authentic conversation with students from the class of 2025. Online via Zoom Jul 10, 2025
The Top 5 Ways the Congressional Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation Bill Will Harm Disabled Students ReportJune 30, 2025 The Top 5 Ways the Congressional Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation Bill Will Harm Disabled Students Disabled students will be disproportionately hurt by the Republican budget reconciliation bill, losing access to essential services and resources that support their education and help them become contributing members of their communities. Jun 30, 2025 Mia Ives-Rublee, Weadé James
Preparing Rural Students for College and Beyond by Improving Access to Coursework ReportJune 25, 2025 Preparing Rural Students for College and Beyond by Improving Access to Coursework To better prepare rural students for postsecondary opportunities, federal and state policymakers must increase rural access to high-quality, rigorous coursework. Jun 25, 2025 Bri Crawford, Paige Shoemaker DeMio, Sara Partridge
Debunking Myths About Head Start: How the Program Promotes Opportunity and Strengthens Families, Communities, and Economies ReportJune 24, 2025 Debunking Myths About Head Start: How the Program Promotes Opportunity and Strengthens Families, Communities, and Economies Decades of research illustrate Head Start’s effectiveness and its ability to meet the unique needs of local communities—along with the crucial role it plays in state and local economies. Jun 24, 2025 Hailey Gibbs
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Would Gut Programs That Support Children ArticleJune 20, 2025 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Would Gut Programs That Support Children Proposed cuts to vital food, health, and education programs would threaten families’ budgets and slash supports for children. Jun 20, 2025 Kennedy Andara, Kyle Ross
Last School Year Was the Hottest on Record. How Do We Protect Students? In the NewsJune 16, 2025 Last School Year Was the Hottest on Record. How Do We Protect Students? In an op-ed published by The 74, Paige Shoemaker DeMio argues that state policymakers and advocates need to step up to protect students from the deadly effects of extreme heat. Jun 16, 2025 The 74 Paige Shoemaker DeMio
5 Ways Community Colleges Drive Workforce Development ReportJune 5, 2025 5 Ways Community Colleges Drive Workforce Development Community colleges play a vital role in workforce development by offering accessible education, aligning programs with industry needs, providing upskilling opportunities, fostering local partnerships, and supporting lifelong learning for diverse populations. Jun 5, 2025 Madison Weiss