LADDERS OF OPPORTUNITY

HOW TO USE THIS PRESENTATION DECK This slide deck has been created by the U.S.

Department of Education as a resource tool for the public and is part of a larger “bookshelf” of resources that may be found on the Department’s website.

Within the larger bookshelf, you will find individual resource “booklets” like this one, on topics ranging from early learning to higher education.

Together, these booklets provide facts and data on:– Progress in education reform – The challenges ahead– The U.S. Department of Education’s initiatives in these

areas Please view the notes section on each slide for

additional information and resources. The entire deck is in the public domain, and may be

used and shared freely. 2

“We are actually a less mobile society than many other nations... This challenges the notion of America as the land of opportunity.”

— The Brookings Institution

LADDERS OF OPPORTUNITY President Obama has laid out a plan to ensure that there

are “ladders of opportunity” for families to make it to the middle class.

Some of the programs that are critical to this plan include: – The Promise Neighborhoods initiative – The High School Redesign program– Preschool for All

The U.S. Department of Education also is working with agencies across the government to establish “Promise Zones,” which will transform high-poverty communities into places of opportunity that can attract private investment, improve education, and create jobs.

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LADDERS OF OPPORTUNITY:

Promise Neighborhoods support comprehensive strategies to support children in some of our nation’s most distressed communities through wraparound support as well as health and safety services for families.

The Department of Education has invested more than $100 million in supporting 50 communities. – Eastside Promise Neighborhood in San Antonio,

TX: Dual generation model Workforce training Full-day childcare Promotes individual, family, and community growth Shows what’s possible with a comprehensive, rather than a

piecemeal approach.

THE PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS PROGRAM

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PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITIES:

In January 2014, President Obama announced the first five Promise Zones:

1. San Antonio 2. Philadelphia3. Los Angeles4. Southeastern Kentucky 5. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

These areas have committed, in partnership with local business and community leaders, to use existing resources on proven strategies, and make new investments that reward hard work. These Promise Zones will create jobs; provide quality, affordable housing; and expand educational opportunity.

THE FIRST FIVE PROMISE ZONES

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A NEW RACE TO THE TOP:

Through the fiscal year 2015 budget, President Obama has proposed to invest $300 million in a new competitive fund called Race to the Top-Equity and Opportunity.

The goal is to support states and districts in identifying and closing educational opportunity and achievement gaps and ensuring that all students—particularly those with the highest needs—graduate from high school college- and career-ready.

EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY

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MY BROTHER’S KEEPER:

From their youngest years through college and the early stage of their professional lives, boys and young men of color are disproportionately at risk for academic failure and other negative outcomes.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGES THAT SHAPE A NEW INITIATIVE

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MY BROTHER’S KEEPER:

The purpose of My Brother’s Keeper is to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and to ensure all young people can reach their full potential.

The initiative will use proven tools that expand opportunity for all young people—including access to basic health, nutrition, and high-quality early education, as well as partnerships with communities and police to reduce violence and make our classrooms and streets safer.

A PLAN TO INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR

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MY BROTHER’S KEEPER:

The six goals: 1.Ensuring all children enter school cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally ready2.Ensuring all children read at grade level by 3rd grade3.Ensuring all youth graduate from high school4.Ensuring all youth complete post-secondary education or training5.Ensuring all youth out of school are employed6.Ensuring all youth remain safe from violent crime

THE MBK COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

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Community leaders can:1.Accept the President’s Challenge2.Convene a “Local Action Summit” to build an MBK Community3.Conduct a policy review and form recommendations for action4.Launch a plan of action, next steps, and a timetable for review

CRADLE TO COLLEGE AND CAREER

Please see the additional slide deck “booklets” in this 13-part presentation for more information about needs and efforts in these areas:Improving Education for all StudentsQuality Early LearningK-12 EducationTeachers & LeadersSTEM Education Turnaround SchoolsSafe SchoolsStandards & AssessmentsTechnology & DataCollege Affordability & Completion

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IMPROVING EDUCATION ACROSS THE SPECTRUM