Early Childhood and K-12 Education
The students of today are the employees of tomorrow, and they need the skills to thrive in the 21st century global economy and beyond. Our education initiatives unite business, policy, and community leaders and stakeholders to develop solutions in early childhood and K-12 education.
Our early childhood education initiatives address a two-generation workforce challenge: supporting today's workforce and preparing tomorrow's workforce.
The K-12 education system of today leaves too many students underprepared for the careers ahead of them. We’re dedicated to closing achievement gaps, promoting standards-driven approaches, and connecting all students to a successful future.
At the U.S. Chamber Foundation, we are committed to advancing solutions that ensure every child has access to quality early education. Investing in early childhood education is essential for building a skilled and competitive workforce, driving innovation, and fostering economic growth.— Aaron Merchen, Senior Director, Early Childhood Education
Programs and Initiatives
Continuing the Conversation
Childcare remains a major issue across the United States, impacting parents, employers and local communities. The “Continuing the Conversation” series brings together leaders working to address these challenges and chart a positive way forward for childcare in America.
Watch the Interviews
Stay Connected
Get updates on Early Childhood Education News including the ECE Quarterly Newsletter.
The U.S. Chamber Foundation has developed Childcare Roadmap Videos to provide a visual representation of the Employer Roadmap: Childcare Solutions for Working Parents. This roadmap is for senior leaders to understand what options are available to address childcare needs for working parents, primarily those working shifts during non-traditional hours.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation released new research that examines the impact of data-driven accountability education policy over the last 20 years and sets the stage for concrete recommendations for the federal role in education.
Latest Content
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.
After the wildfires of 2017, the Santa Rosa Metro Chamber partnered with the education community in Sonoma County to make the business case for critical policy changes and investments that would support the development of new centers and open new slots to the thousands of children on childcare wait lists.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has released a new report, "Piecing Together Solutions: Returning to Work and the Childcare Dilemma," outlining how childcare challenges are affecting working parents amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The report examines how working parents are struggling to adapt to the ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, including difficulties navigating alternative childcare arrangements and online K-12 learning.
Local school governance has routinely been left out of discussions about education, and school boards often function with little oversight from the communities they serve. Even those who are aware of the role school boards play often don’t know how they can help. Yet, school boards have significant power and authority over the quality of education in our schools.
