Education

America Forward Policy Priorities for Education Reform

Over the last several decades, different theories of change have influenced federal education policy. Some have suggested that if only more financial resources were available — if teachers were better paid or classes were smaller — results would follow. If we started earlier, with high quality early childhood education, all children could succeed. If parents had school choices and competition played a role in resource allocation, schools would improve. If we set high academic standards, schools would get better. If we addressed the significant barriers to college access and success, students would thrive.

On their own, none of these theories have proven sufficient, but they each hold a part of the solution. In short, reform efforts must do it all – from a place of political will that empowers, incentivizes, and resources the kind of comprehensive, locally based systematic change that is needed.

America Forward is strongly supportive of education policies from early childhood through post-secondary education that elevate effective external partnerships, embrace innovation, and emphasize investing in what works.

The America Forward Education Task Force and its policy working groups have collectively identified policy opportunities and developed its priorities for early learning, elementary and secondary education, higher education, and career and technical education.