Equality and Quality in U.S. Education: Systemic Problems, Systemic Solutions. Policy Brief

Recent passage of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), coupled with recognition of rising inequality in American society, has rekindled debate about how U.S. schools might address long-standing disparities in educational and economic opportunities while improving the educational outcomes for all students. This paper enters that debate with a vision and an argument for realizing that vision, based on lessons learned from 60 years of education research and reform efforts. The central points covered draw on a much more extensive treatment of these issues published in 2015. The aim is to spark fruitful discussion among educators, policymakers, and researchers. [This brief is a condensed version of a recently published book chapter titled "Quality and Equality in American Education: Systemic Problems, Systemic Solutions" that was published in "The Dynamics of Opportunity in America: Evidence and Perspectives" by Irwin Kirsch and Henry Braun (Springer, 2016), which includes a more extensive treatment of the issues discussed here.]