Issues with the American Education System & How to Re-Imagine Education to Empower Students
Our partners are showing how one-size-fits-all education holds learners back — and how individualized education can empower all.
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Education usually treats people the same. This approach hurts students, educators, and society because every learner is unique.
Unlock innovative education that’s tailored to help every learner and educator thrive — in K-12 and postsecondary education.
1,200+ partners, including educators, nonprofits, businesses, and policymakers delivering individualized education.
2.4 million K-12 students engaged, 4 million postsecondary learners engaged, 400,000 workers with better skills-training options, and 6,000 educators empowered.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed major problems with the education system, especially the lack of options tailored to every learner. It’s a problem that stretches back decades — and the time has come to solve it. Stand Together and our partners are addressing American education system problems by building individualized solutions that benefit everyone.
Every learner is different. So why does our education system treat everyone the same?
The Challenge
Today’s education is the definition of “one-size-fits-all.”
In both K-12 and postsecondary education, the system is largely standardized. It’s a top-down approach: Learners take the same paths while educators teach the same lessons. Yet every learner has unique skills and needs.
Of students are disengaged by 12th grade
Improvement in K-12 outcomes since 1970 – despite a 150% increase in per-student spending
Of college graduates are prepared for the workforce
Of student loan debt, with another $90B added every year
The results are heartbreaking. Learners of all ages struggle to discover their talents, leaving them disheartened and checked out. Educators often lack the autonomy to offer creative solutions to help students thrive — the opposite of what they signed up for. And society struggles to move forward because millions are unequipped with the skills necessary to contribute and realize their unique potential.
Of families give education a “C” grade or worse
Americans know we can do better. Before the pandemic, more than 80% of families gave education a “C” grade or worse. After the pandemic, three out of five families are willing to consider new learning options. Stand Together is making sure those options exist — and transforming education in the process.
Everyone should be able to choose where they learn, when they learn, what they learn, how they learn, and who they learn from.
The Partnerships
Stand Together has been empowering education partners for years.
In contrast to the top-down, one-size-fits-all education, we’re helping teachers, families, and innovators to deliver learning options individualized to students’ unique skills and needs. Our partners are building education from the bottom up.
K-12 and postsecondary education partners, connecting learners of all ages with tailored educational and training options
Grassroots activists driving education reform policies
Our partnerships break the mold. In K-12, our partners are working in public schools, private schools, parochial schools, trade schools, and experimental learning models. In postsecondary education, our partners work inside and outside the traditional college degree experience. And we’re partnering with employers and educators to build tailored training opportunities for all industries and workers.
How We’ve Helped Reform the American Education System
Stand Together is building a movement to rethink education – at every level and for all ages.
The results can be seen in the sheer number of people benefiting from our partners’ work. Not only are we helping millions of learners to discover their skills, we’re empowering thousands of educators to do what they love.
K-12 students benefiting from education projects funded by our partners
Postsecondary learners with access to programs our partners support
Workers supported in skills training for new jobs in high-growth industries
Educators better equipped to do what they love: empower learners
Our policy partners have also achieved impressive results. States are now competing to pass the best policies that will spur education innovation, benefiting learners and educators alike.
Major education bills passed in 8 states during 2021 legislative sessions
More families empowered with direct access funding to support their education
Despite this progress, one-size-fits-all education is still the default, and that needs to change. We’re committed to growing our partnerships across the board because individualized education is needed now more than ever.
Individualized education is gaining ground. For the sake of our society, it can’t happen fast enough.
K-12 Thought Leaders and Innovators are doing great things every day to improve education outcomes.
