Institute of Politics

How is America’s public education system doing in 2019? When asked to grade the nation's schools, respondents in a 2017 poll gave an average answer of C or D – even though most also gave their own children’s school a passing grade. High school graduation rates are at their highest ever, yet American students are still at the middle of the pack internationally on achievement tests. So, as stories of budget reductions, teacher strikes, and school closures across the country have gained national attention, how are American K-12 students faring? What are the most pressing problems that superintendents face in large cities? Where and why is progress being made – and what are the most important policy fights of the year? Please join the IOP as we welcome a distinguished panel of education experts for a conversation about the future of public education in the U.S., featuring:

• Janice K. Jackson, CEO of Chicago Public Schools
• John King, President of The Education Trust, former U.S. Secretary of Education, and current IOP Pritzker Fellow
• Pedro Martinez, superintendent of San Antonio Independent School District This conversation will be moderated by Gretchen Crosby Sims, Executive Director of the Institute of Politics.