The Urban and Higher Education Program focuses on building understanding of what it will take to implement the Common Core State Standards in the nation’s schools. At the same time it encourages action on the pending reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), supporting analysis and advocacy by knowledgeable organizations. We also supports grants to policy work related to degree completion and effective postsecondary education. Grants currently support organizations engaged in improving policy conditions relevant to the Education Program strategy including policies that would increase high school graduation rates, college readiness and adoption of the Common Core State Standards.  

Priorities for the coming year include:

• Maintaining public support and understanding for Common Core State Standards implementation and building public receptivity to new science standards