NewDEAL Forum hosted its annual Ideas Summit in Phoenix, Arizona in mid-April. The gathering brought state and local policymakers together with thought leaders from the public and private sectors to share ideas, hear about models from Phoenix, and engage in conversations about key issues facing communities across the country.

A recap of recent NewDEAL Forum discussions on school choice and digital equity.

Digital equity in schools — students' access to digital tools, resources, and curriculum — is now fundamental to their long-term success as schools become increasingly technological, something accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his State of the Union speech, President Biden urged Congress and the states to “finish the job” – a call to confront and solve the various critical issues facing our nation.

NewDEAL Forum releases policy recommendations and best practices gathered during a visit of state and local officials to study Mayor Schaaf’s initiatives to provide students with “Cradle to College” support and address the digital divide.

The City of Oakland has launched an ambitious set of programs known as Oakland Promise that dramatically reimagine how to deliver high-quality education and support to students from cradle to career while opening doors of economic opportunity along the way.

As another class of seniors get ready to finish high school amid the lingering presence of COVID-19, data paints a troubling picture about their futures. A dramatic decline in college-going rates means freshman enrollment has dropped by 13% since 2019, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Freshman enrollment in community colleges shows an even steeper drop-off, falling 21%.