In 2017, six years into our founding, we undertook the development of a new six-year strategic plan. The resulting plan laid out a framework for change that embraced the opportunity found in the four million children born each year in the United States and organized our work into four “big bets” for years 2018-23. Those bets—More People, Greater Opportunities, Smarter Goals and Better Tools— were meant to guide and grow our network of campaigns as we sought to overcome the country’s growing political divides and re-energize the work of education advocacy to “move us closer each year to the excellent and equitable education systems our kids deserve.”
No one could have imagined that three years later, tens of millions of children would have their relationships and rituals with school disrupted as deeply as they have been by a once-in-a-century pandemic. In the spring and summer of 2020, our staff and our campaigns came together to share insights and ideas drawn from their communities and then pivoted to address these challenges, radically altering their goals, tactics and approach to meet the basic needs of children who could no longer attend school in person. It was clear that a new reality was being created and it was essential we work to shape what that reality might be.
Because 50CAN is a network of learning and change, we intended to do a midpoint update to this strategic plan based on what we learned since its release. That intention became a necessity as we adapted to this new reality. Some of our campaigns have had monumental success even as they could not go to their own state capitols. We’ve made new policy connections with parents, partners and innovators that have had a profound impact on how we pick goals. And we have taken a different stance on policy, starting with the publishing of our policy vision statements “Fund Everything” and “Measure Everything,” and culminating with the release of our new policy framework, “Believe in Better.”
The world of education is different, and 50CAN is different as well. This ability to adapt, in our states and leaders, in our goals and approach, has always been our strength and it is the foundation upon which we will continue to stand. We are excited to share an updated strategic plan that builds upon everything we have learned, is anchored in our diversity as a network
working across political divides and that embraces the challenge of this new reality.
While the past two years have revealed in stark relief the many inequities in the traditional education system, we have also seen elements of a new, more dynamic, learner-centered future present themselves. This once- in-a-century challenge is also a once-in-a-century opportunity, one where we can renew our commitment to be policy leaders in building a better, more just education system where every child can become the best version of themselves.
Over the next two years, we plan to leverage our unique position as a bipartisan education advocacy organization with a bold nationwide vision, strong and diverse local leadership and the know-how to secure the policy wins needed for a more resilient, dynamic and creative education system to emerge. One that will draw on local community and civic institutions, online opportunities, and universities and businesses to deliver learning tailored for each student’s interests, curiosities and dreams. Our kids and their families deserve nothing less.
The need for the education system of the future has never been greater. This strategic plan is our best effort to show how we intend to get there. We invite you to join us in our campaigns as we work together to make it a reality.
