Education
Quality education is essential to a skilled and competitive workforce. Access to education, coupled with reliable, quality childcare is key for improving economic opportunities for all Americans.
Our education system is failing many students as shown by data that reveals two-thirds of our fourth and eighth graders are unable to read or do math at their grade level. And the United States ranks below a number of other countries in reading and math proficiency. Recognizing the importance of childcare as a key component of the education system is crucial to addressing the current challenges and ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive.
- 6th in ReadingGlobal Ranking for U.S. Students
- 10th in ScienceGlobal Ranking for U.S. Students
- 26th in MathGlobal Ranking for U.S. Students
Introducing Commerce Meets Classroom, a new series from our K-12 education Senior Manager, Kyle Butler, featuring the business perspective on pressing education issues.
Stories of Education and Workforce in Action
Across our nation’s talent pipeline, we explore the stories of employers investing in the workforce of today and tomorrow to close the skills gap.
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Programs and Initiatives
Latest Content
Discouraging statistics emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic are so numerous in so many sectors that it can be difficult for any one of them to be attention-grabbing at this point.
In 2019, a coalition of businesses, key state leaders, legislators, research and children advocacy groups was formed with the purpose of tackling child care accessibility, affordability, and quality.
Several years ago, Coffeyville Public Schools recognized a noticeable gap in quality early education within the district. They understood the need to engage community leaders to improve education and childcare access.
Expanding childcare access for more people in Iowa. In 2015, Black Hawk County saw a 40 percent decline in childcare centers and programs. This decline prompted an urgent need to fill the childcare access gap within the community.
New U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation research reveals how lack of childcare solutions can affect working parents’ careers, with women disproportionately impacted
Prior to the pandemic, there were approximately 675,000 childcare providers in this country, predominately small businesses, who were already operating on thin margins. The public health crisis of COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the childcare industry. In the spring of 2020, many childcare providers closed their programs to follow public health guidance, leading to lost revenue for weeks and months at a time. While many providers have now re-opened as states have begun to open up, they are still operating with limited capacity and increased operational costs. Read more about the unique experiences of the providers who are trying to weather this crisis and care for the young children of working parents.
