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Policy Issues

Education

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Early Learning

 High-quality early learning settings (both child care and public pre-k) instill a strong foundation of cognitive and social skills in children, which increases their ability to start school ready to succeed. But too many children, particularly in underserved communities, remain without access to early childhood education -- impacting their future school achievement and earnings potential. To promote opportunity for all and a prosperous society, CED works to advance early education throughout the country. CED collaborates with local business leaders, policymakers, and like-minded organizations to increase the quality of, and access to, early education through public and private initiatives.

Find out more about CED's  initiative “Business Champions for the Advancement of Early Childhood Education" 

College- and Career-Ready

 High-quality K-12 education is a critical pathway to career and life success. Even prior to the pandemic, the US education system struggled to live up to its full potential to better serve all students. The pandemic's disruption has upended the nation's education programs and set back student learning, widened existing educational disparities, and placed K-12 schools under enormous pressure to chart a viable path forward. To strengthen the effectiveness of the education system for successful 21st century students and citizens, CED advocates providing K-12 students with opportunities to learn and practice in-demand skills as part of the standard curriculum; supporting high-quality career guidance informed by up-to-date labor market realities and relationships with potential employers; and, spurring innovation and competition by piloting and testing new and comprehensive educational models.

Postsecondary Education and Training

 Postsecondary education and training programs should improve career prospects for individuals and build a stronger workforce, but for too many US students higher education is a significant risk and cost. CED supports reforms to move the US toward a postsecondary education and training ecosystem of broader, more affordable access and improved individual career outcomes that more responsively meet the evolving needs of business and advances the national interest. CED also recognizes the critical role of business leaders in improving education. Business leaders can partner with education providers to shape the pipeline of future employees and advocate for investment and innovation.