The Next Decade in Education Demands Bold Action. Is the Nation Ready?

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Members of the Maasai tribe of Kenya traditionally greet each other with “Kasserian Ingera,” which translates to “And how are the children?” The customary response, “Sepati Ingera,” means “The children are well!” This exchange reflects a deeply held belief that children’s well-being is the best indicator of their society’s future health and prosperity.

By this measure, America is struggling. 

The latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress are a stark reminder that the U.S. is still deep in an education crisis. Reading scores continue to decline, math scores remain stagnant and the pandemic’s impact on learning has yet to be reversed. But here’s what educators and pundits alike must remember: These declines started well before the pandemic. COVID-19 didn’t create this crisis; it simply exposed and accelerated it. 

Still, the country’s current trajectory does not have to define the future. The solutions are known. Strong improvements in reading have been seen over the last decade in states like Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama, where investments in comprehensive evidence-based literacy policies and instruction have driven success. In the latest NAEP scores, Louisiana bucked national trends, coming close to full recovery from COVID-related declines in eighth-grade reading and math. In Washington, D.C., where some of the fastest student growth pre-pandemic was evident, the school district invested post-pandemic to in high-dosage tutoring and high-quality instructional materials, leading to one of the most significant gains on the 2024 test — 10 points in fourth-grade math — and outpacing other big cities and the national average in reading. 

Academic gains like this do not come easy. The next decade in education will require bold leadership, real urgency and a national commitment to doing better by America’s kids.

That’s why I am excited to take the baton as the next CEO of Teach For America. TFA is an organization dedicated to recruiting, training and equipping leaders to drive change in education and to advocate for evidence-based solutions that impact kids’ well-being. Our network of more than 70,000 teachers, tutors and alumni has made — and continues to make — a profound impact on rural and urban schools, advocacy organizations, ed tech startups, law, medicine, journalism and elected offices, from city halls to Congress. Every day, they work to improve literacy, math achievement and college and career readiness, while driving change in the conditions that shape educational access and opportunity.

In places like Louisiana and D.C., tangible progress is evident. To extend that progress throughout the country, here’s what this moment demands:

First, a national goal that rallies educators, policymakers and communities around student success. The Lumina Foundation’s Stronger Nation initiative has helped drive meaningful gains in postsecondary attainment. A similar commitment to early literacy and foundational math could help rebuild momentum for K-12 achievement. After all, a child’s ability to read by the end of third grade is a significant predictor of future life outcomes, as is math achievement in eighth grade.

Second, investments in proven solutions. High-dosage tutoring works. High-quality curricula and teacher training lead to better outcomes. Dual enrollment — offering college courses to high schoolers — helps students stay on track for college. Real-time student feedback on belonging, motivation and the relevance of their learning can further enhance instruction. A survey developed by the UChicago Consortium on School Research that TFA is implementing across corps members’ classrooms has helped teachers tailor their approaches to student needs, making instruction more engaging and responsive. Yet access to these interventions and opportunities remains deeply unequal. Expanding these efforts should be a national priority.

Third, teachers and education leaders who make progress possible must be supported. Interest in the profession is at a 50-year low, and many schools remain stuck in outdated models that don’t meet the needs of either students or teachers. That’s why Teach For America has joined organizations like TeachPlus and Education Resource Strategies in the Coalition to Reimagine the Teaching Role — to help create the conditions for educators to thrive. These include competitive compensation, professional autonomy, structured mentorship and coaching, access to high-quality instructional resources and opportunities for career advancement within the classroom. With a culture of collaboration, innovation, and ongoing professional development, educators can remain engaged and empowered to help students reach their brightest futures.

This work is essential. But it extends beyond any single organization. There must be a collective effort to create lasting change that ensures all children get the education they deserve. 

Addressing this education crisis demands collective action in every community — students, families, educators and local leaders work together in pursuit of a shared vision. There must be the courage to acknowledge the depth of the nation’s education crisis, the vision to set ambitious goals, the will to implement evidence-based interventions and solutions, and the drive to reimagine what’s possible.

If action is taken with urgency and purpose, the trajectory of education in America can improve. And one day, we will all be able to answer proudly and confidently, as the Maasai do: “The children are well.”

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