In a time of division within K-12 education, a major organization representing the country’s school superintendents is launching a campaign focused on workforce needs, student-centered learning, and measuring more than just test scores.
The AASA, or the School Superintendents Association, introduced its new “Public Education Promise” at its annual conference in New Orleans on March 6.
The campaign is aimed at providing school district leaders with the tools and support to make five key changes in their school systems:
- Focusing on student-centered learning
- Teaching “the new basics,” including skills like artificial intelligence to meet the needs of a changing workforce
- Recruiting and keeping the best educators
- Strengthening family and community partnerships
- Expanding how student achievement is measured beyond state test scores to focus on “what matters”
This initiative builds on AASA’s previous Learning 2025 project, where school districts worked together to innovate and improve their systems.
At a time when schools are deeply divided, many advocacy groups are finding common ground in supporting career-technical education and preparing students for both college and careers. Leaders from both major political parties have also raised concerns about the growing reliance on test-based accountability in schools.
As part of this new campaign, AASA plans to survey superintendents to better understand their needs and help design resources and programs for piloting new educational approaches. AASA’s executive director, David Schuler, stressed that access to high-quality public education should always be a shared American value, regardless of political differences.
