Education & Economic Mobility - Education is the strongest engine of economic mobility [4][18] - A classroom isn't just about academics, it's about opportunity; change one child's path and you can change an entire family [4] - The true finish line is public education preparing every child for a life of dignity, opportunity, and choice [9] - Schools are where futures get built, where the doors to opportunity swing open [16] Challenges in Education - In the US, almost 90% of students graduate high school, but only 25% of Houston students earn a college degree or credential [5] - By their mid-20s, just 20% of Houston students are earning a living wage [5] - Most young people are being left behind, not because of a lack of talent, but because preparation isn't matching opportunity [5] - Two years ago, nearly half of Houston ISD's 270 schools were rated D or F by the state [10] Solutions & Goals - Good Reason Houston believes every system should be held accountable for ensuring students are on track to a job that will afford them a living wage [6] - A new northstar goal for public education is needed [6] - Every child should be on track to a living wage job, and communities have to hold schools to it [16] - Houston ISD shifted focus to ensuring more kids are ready for a good job with good wages, leading to nearly 75% of its 270 schools being rated A or B [11]

Enrollment Trends - Public school enrollments in Arizona are falling, indicating an existential crisis for the sector [1] Strategic Response - Public school leaders in Arizona convened a summit to combat declining enrollments [1] - The goal is to attract families and strengthen political support for public education [1] Industry Outlook - Arizona is at the forefront of a significant shift in public education [1]

Education System Challenges - Costa Rica's education system faces significant challenges, hindering national progress [2][4] - The public education system suffers from a lack of resources, including English and computer education [4] - There is a lack of clear reporting and data on the state of education, hindering effective evaluation and planning [4] - The education system is plagued by bureaucracy, with excessive paperwork burdening teachers [4] - A significant portion of government payroll (65%) is allocated to education, yet productivity remains unmeasured [9] - Approximately 2 million young people are not in education or employment, creating social risks [11] Systemic Issues and Potential Solutions - The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) suffers from "titulitis," prioritizing titles over capabilities in hiring and promotions [4] - The absence of a long-term education plan and a functional Higher Education Council exacerbates the problems [4] - Strong union influence over MEP decisions, particularly in human resources and teacher evaluations, impedes reform [6] - There is a lack of external evaluation and monitoring of schools, hindering quality control [7] - Successful educational models, such as those used in Israel and by some cooperatives, involve performance-based funding and public-private partnerships [12] - The MEP's complex structure, with 90,000-95,000 employees and multiple layers of bureaucracy, hinders effective management [5]

Spurred on by the perceived leftward drift of schools, conservative parents launched a movement to amass more power in public education. On Friday, the Supreme Court handed them a victory. https://t.co/5z74alSsaY ...