American education is in crisis. We continue to lose ground in international rankings. States are struggling to address the historic learning loss due to COVID school shutdowns and the systematic dismantling of high expectations for students of all ages. There are monumental changes in the federal role in education at all levels. The public has lost trust in our schools—both in k-12 and higher education. At the same time, in this nascent era of AI, academic mastery, skill development, lifelong learning and agility are more important than ever.
This Study Group will dive into the hottest topics in education and invite national thought leaders to share their perspectives on the current landscape and propose a path forward for America to regain her mantle as the best place to be educated in the world.
AUDIENCE: These conversations are open to members of the Harvard community. Please RSVP with a valid Harvard email address.
OFF-THE-RECORD: In keeping with our long tradition at the IOP to ensure honest and candid discussions of politics, all IOP study groups are off-the-record.
Please register for this study group with a valid Harvard email address.
Speakers and Presenters
Aimee Guidera, IOP Spring 2026 Resident Fellow; Former Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia