The Presidential Election: A Golden Opportunity for Education

The candidates agree that our system needs improving, and recent data shows that the American public agrees. First Focus, the bipartisan policy affiliate of the America’s Promise Alliance recently conducted a nationwide survey with renowned pollster Frank Luntz, which illustrated widespread dissatisfaction with the state of our educational system. In fact, 73 percent of those surveyed believe that the American educational system is currently “in crisis.” Much like the candidates, voters have different opinions about the best ways to improve it, including whether to strengthen or scrap No Child Left Behind.

Indeed, there is little disagreement that our educational system is in an unhealthy state. As a nation of public and private sector entities, we all must work together to find innovative solutions to this problem— whether it be increasing much needed federal support for high schools to curb dropout rates, or strengthening community engagement in the education of our children. In either respect, there is a clear need for the government and the private sector—for schools and communities—to work together with families to meet students’ needs inside and outside of the classroom. This election presents a golden opportunity for us to choose a candidate who will find and facilitate innovative solutions necessary to address this crisis and give every child equal access to the American Dream.

Marguerite Kondracke is President and CEO of America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest multi-sector collaborative dedicated to the well-being of children and youth.