Washington, D.C. (FEBRUARY 16, 2018) –– The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program and America’s Promise Alliance today released a new publication showing promising practices in states to ensure educational equity for all students.
One year ago, CCSSO and the Aspen Education & Society Program joined together to published Leading for Equity: Opportunities for State Education Chiefs. States have made significant progress against the 10 commitments outlined in Leading for Equity and the publication released today, States Leading for Equity: Promising Practices Advancing the Equity Commitments, shares promising state practices.
States Leading for Equity: Promising Practices Advancing the Equity Commitments provides a brief overview of practices and policies states are currently engaging in to provide a stronger education for students. It is intended to show positive examples of state action toward each of the 10 equity commitments as a milestone on this journey to share the progress states have made and recognize the difficult work remaining. State chiefs know that the journey towards equity is just beginning and this document marks a celebration of positive starts along that path.
“I am proud to see state chiefs take the lead in renewing their commitment to equity and showing real progress to create a more equitable education system for every child,” said Carissa Miller, interim executive director of CCSSO. “State leaders have not let these commitments sit on a shelf, but instead, are working closely with stakeholders to address the challenges in our education system today.”
“Leading for equity is not easy,” said Ross Wiener, executive director, Education & Society Program, the Aspen Institute. “Progress is dependent on state leaders defining and pursuing equity. I deeply respect the leadership challenge CCSSO and individual state chiefs have embraced so publicly and proactively, and look forward to the progress Leading for Equity can contribute to our communities and our country.”
“Every young person deserves a life that rewards their dreams – a life of opportunity, unburdened by injustice,” said John Gomperts, president and chief executive officer, America’s Promise Alliance. “We recognize that real change for young people happens locally and achieving equity requires a sustained commitment. Leading for Equity can help us move closer to our ideals where equal opportunity is the defining promise of our country.”
The publication was released during an event today in Washington D.C. with education leaders at the national, state and district levels discussing states’ progress on equity and looking ahead to the challenging work that remains. Event attendees engaged in a state case study discussion on how Pennsylvania has worked with stakeholders to advance equity and a conversation among state and national leaders on progress over the last year and how we can continue to work together to achieve success for every child.
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The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public.
The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners.
America’s Promise Alliance leads an alliance of more than 450 organizations, communities, and individuals dedicated to making the promise of America real for every child. As its signature effort, the GradNation campaign mobilizes Americans to increase the on-time high school graduation rate to 90 percent by 2020 and prepare young people for postsecondary enrollment and the 21st-century workforce. For more information, visit www.AmericasPromise.org.
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