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
On December 3–4, we hosted an invite-only event for business decision makers in partnership with Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC).
As school districts face tightening budgets and a looming fiscal cliff for 2025-26, businesses have a critical role to play in supporting education through strategic investments, community partnerships, and advocacy for evidence-based programs.
In this edition of "Commerce Meets Classroom," our K-12 education expert, Kyle Butler, proudly claims that we are all math people, highlighting how basic numeracy skills are crucial for building the strong American workforce of the future.
Seventy-three percent of employees have a caregiving responsibility, but are employers paying attention to this shift? Denise O’Brien of Bright Horizons addresses the “trilemma” that prevents employees from finding care and shares effective employer strategies for solving the trilemma.
Vermont’s innovative Act 76 addresses the child care crisis with funding through a payroll tax. Aly Richards of Let’s Grow Kids highlights the decade-long campaign, business leadership, and grassroots mobilization that made this reform possible, offering a model for other states to follow.
Mayor Todd Barton discusses Crawfordsville’s efforts to tackle childcare challenges, highlighting community involvement and sustainable solutions to support working parents and boost local workforce development.
Introducing Commerce Meets Classroom, a new series from our K-12 education Senior Manager, Kyle Butler, featuring the business perspective on pressing education issues.
Louise Stoney, co-founder of Opportunities Exchange, discusses transforming child care business models to ensure sustainability and quality. This conversation covers the importance of accurate data, modern technology, and the roles of community and business support in addressing child care challenges.
Child Care Aware® of America CEO Susan Gale Perry dissects the complex nature of American childcare, spotlighting creative approaches to bridge the gap between family needs and available services. She explores Tri-Share Models, business-led initiatives, and collaborative efforts that aim to transform early education and childcare bolstering workforce support nationally.
In this episode of “Continuing the Conversation,” Adam Alson and Haden Polseno-Hensley discuss addressing childcare challenges for small businesses in rural areas. Discover how these unique approaches are transforming communities and providing better opportunities for employees and their families.
