In an increasingly complex world, ensuring that children acquire the proper academic foundation is critical to the nation’s future success. Americans are looking for better performance standards throughout all grade levels.

Our experts partner with leading educational authorities to conduct research and advance evidence-based solutions to compelling problems. 

Pew targets areas where we feel we can make a significant impact by helping deliver answers where they are needed most.

Research clearly demonstrates that what a child learns before the age of five has significant implications for the future and that public investments in quality pre-kindergarten yield proven economic returns and far-reaching social benefits.

Our projects in the area of education include:

• Pre-K Now, a campaign of the Pew Center on the States, collaborates with advocates and policymakers across the country to lead a movement for high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all 3- and 4-year-olds.
• National Early Childhood Accountability Task Force, which studies pre-kindergarten performance. Since the release of the Task Force’s report, “Taking Stock: Assessing and Improving Early Childhood Learning and Program Quality,” this project is now housed at the Council of the Chief State School Officers. Over the next twelve months, the Council of Chief State School Officers, with funding from The Pew Charitable Trusts, will use the Task Force’s findings to help states document and strengthen preschool program performance.
• National Institute for Early Education Research, which provides objective information on the benefits of quality pre-k and the policies needed to ensure that these programs produce the promised results.
• Quality Counts, which grades states on K-12 educational standards, accountability and other measures and is a collaboration with Education Week.
• The Project on Student Debt, which works to increase public understanding of the burden of student debt and its implications for families, society and the national economy.