Achieving Change
A quality education improves the odds of success.
Education First believes a quality education improves the odds for all young people. Personalized, rigorous and relevant schooling is especially important for students who are struggling.
Our students are losing ground.
The world is changing at a stunning rate and challenges abound. Students in today's schools contend with complex issues ranging from environmental sustainability to global trade and competition.
Meanwhile, the U.S. education system is falling further and further behind. Expectations remain too low. Education funding is often trumped by other priorities. High school dropout rates are disgraceful. Too much time is spent questioning test results rather than searching for solutions. Innovation is handicapped by systemic inflexibility. Policy pivots on what will be most comfortable for adults in the system rather than what is most advantageous for students.
Education reform is essential and achievable.
To turn the tide, education from preschool through college must be retooled to meet the ever-changing demands of the 21st century.
Our work is fueled by
A belief in the power of high standards—reinforced by regular measurement and shared accountability—to help all students excel
A willingness to embrace new models of public schools, as well as flexibility and autonomy to give educators the tools they need to succeed
An interest in moving beyond decades-old debates and political ideology to find new, workable solutions
A curiosity about best practices and innovative policy changes
A belief that the best ideas shouldn't automatically be adopted—good public-policy outcomes require careful attention to advocacy and communications