Ours to Solve,
Once — and for All

We have identified fundamental barriers within the current K-12 public education system that prevent far too many students from succeeding and thriving. Our "True North" must always point toward student outcomes. Despite a national commitment to the issue, steep increases in funding, and decades of reform efforts, our current system has been unable to reverse poor student outcomes, particularly for low income students and students of color. This failure goes against who we profess to be as a nation.

We aim to make far better use of the considerable talent, assets, and efforts that exist in our public school institutions. In offering solutions, our report calls for a new approach that focuses on organizing for student-based results—flipping the system from top down to bottom-up—minimizing mandates while embracing incentives, and cultivating and rewarding professional mastery in the education workforce. Each component of the proposed new operating system is deliberately influenced by the other components, and the plan is designed to be executed as a whole.

On behalf of the Education Futures Council, we hope this report builds motivation and commitment for change. Together we can launch a new approach to address the current state of public education in America and provide every child with the foundational opportunities they deserve. Show less.