Education Agenda 2017

As new leaders take office this month, many have pledged to tackle education. Today, New America's Education Policy program is releasing Education Agenda 2017 to help set priorities. We recommend 10 actions that state leaders, the next Administration, and Congress should take to address inequities in the system and help students become the innovators of tomorrow.

1. Expand access to quality early learning.
2. Smooth transition points from pre-K through higher education and into the workforce.
3. Transform the preparation and ongoing development of educators.
4. Align research and development to educational practice.
5. Build an infrastructure for supporting dual language learners (DLLs).
6. Improve access to and linkages between education and workforce data while protecting student privacy.
7. Hold “bad actors” in the higher education system accountable.
8. Simplify and target financial aid to the students who need it most.
9. Repair the federal-state partnership in higher education.
10. Connect education and the labor market by moving beyond the “skills gap.”

Education Agenda 2017 (PDF) includes specific recommendations for each of the 10 actions, as well as links to policy papers with background and analyses of data and recent research studies. Many policy recommendations are targeted to state leaders who, if they choose to act on these ideas, could make a significant positive impact on students and families in the coming years.