Effective systems of accountability and continuous improvement support schools and districts in assessing progress, identifying needs, and overcoming barriers to teaching and learning.
Many states, districts, and schools are seeking to expand instruction to support higher-order thinking skills and are developing authentic performance assessments that measure student mastery on a deeper level.
Advances in education policy and practice are needed to mitigate the systemic disparities that prevent many Black, Indigenous, and other children of color from accessing a high-quality, empowering education.
Community schools are an evidence-based strategy to advance equity and reduce barriers to learning by providing the services needed to support student and family well-being.
Curriculum, instruction, and assessment focused on deeper learning develop students’ abilities to think critically and solve complex problems, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and learn independently.
Growing research demonstrates the benefits for all students of teachers of color. Evidence also points to promising practices to help teachers of color overcome the unique barriers they face and expand diversity in the teaching workforce.
Schools need diverse, well-prepared educators. A high-quality educator workforce requires investments in teacher preparation and learning, policies to increase recruitment and retention, and strategies to sustain educator capacity to create and innovate.
Inclusive, well-resourced, high-quality schools that ensure all children have opportunities to learn and thrive are necessary to overcome historical and contemporary social and educational inequities.
Evidence shows that adequate and equitable financing of public schools improves a range of outcomes for all students, yet disparities in school funding shortchange many children in the United States.
