The Building Bridges Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Building Bridges Initiative?
   The Building Bridges Initiative is a collaboration of education advocates across the political spectrum who came together in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic united by the belief that bold changes must be enacted to meet the crisis in student achievement and mental health and to lay the groundwork for a much more responsive system going forward. It was convened by Democrats for Education Reform and the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
   
   
2. Who issued A Generation at Risk?
   The report was issued by the Building Bridges Initiative and reflects the ideas of its participants, who work at the local, state, and national levels, and bring diverse perspectives across region, political ideology, and race. Ideas in this report were debated and developed over the course of twelve months and six in-person convenings. Since its creation, nearly 100individuals have signed on to the recommendations provided in the report. The full list of authors and signatories is online here. Others are encouraged to sign to signal their support.
   
   
3. Why issue this report now?
   The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated a crisis in our education system—with student achievement in math and reading plummeting to levels we haven’t seen in twenty years. These losses are particularly acute among students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities, all of whom already faced unacceptable opportunity gaps. Beyond academics, the pandemic has also tragically spiked a mental health crisis among young people. Without intervention, the effect on our nation’s social and economic health will be staggering, and America’s youth will pay the true cost.
   
   
4. The Initiative includes organizations with very different priorities and political perspectives. Why work together on this?
   We are experiencing an educational crisis like never before. Data on student learning underscores the need for urgent action to address the most pressing issues now, as well as a new vision to evolve the education system. To do this, we need a chorus of leaders focused on the power of common ground to turn intentions into actions. Leaders in the Building Bridges Initiative united around the common goal of advancing educational opportunities for students—thinking beyond their local or state context to apply broad ideas that will serve all students across the country.
   
   
5. Given the varied perspectives represented, how did the group find consensus?
   These recommendations represent shared ideas and compromises from all parties to provide a roadmap for leaders to enact real changes now, and in the future. Throughout the initiative, group members shared, debated, disagreed, and worked to ultimately find common ground. We hope that other leaders across our nation will follow suit and come together to put students first. The final statement includes seven focus areas we believe are necessary to evolve K-12 education, as well as five commitments leaders should make to better meet students’ needs today.
   
   
6. Who is the audience for this report, and what can leaders and advocates do with it? 
   We crafted this call to action for our fellow education advocates, education policymakers, the educators leading our schools, and the families we serve. To bring a responsive system to life, policymakers and practitioners will need to make real changes to the conditions around both teaching and learning. Identify the ideas in the report that you agree with, and most importantly, join us in respectful conversation.