Focus Forward: The Future of American Education Policy

As the nation navigates policy shifts, the evolving role of the federal government in education, and the urgent need for bipartisan solutions to pressing challenges, fostering productive dialogue across differences, and advancing innovative approaches to education policy and practice has never been more critical.

On May 8, the McGraw Center for Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education will host a timely conversation between Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education and current Director of Chicago CRED, and Katharine O. Strunk, the Dean of Penn GSE.

Drawing on his leadership in both national and local education systems, Duncan will reflect on the state of American education policy and what lies ahead. From 2009 to 2015, Duncan served as Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, following his tenure as CEO of Chicago Public Schools, where he led reforms that expanded early childhood education, opened 100 new schools, and built strong public–private partnerships. Today, Duncan continues his work as the head of Chicago CRED, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing gun violence through education and opportunity. He is also the managing partner at Emerson Collective, an organization dedicated to removing barriers so people can live to their full potential.

This event is part of the McGraw Center’s ongoing efforts to convene leading voices in education and policy to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing schools today.