United States Program

Education Strategy

We focus on improving education so that all young people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are working to ensure that a high school education results in college-readiness and that a postsecondary education results in a degree or certificate with value in the workplace.

Working Towards Shared Goals

For the following initiatives, we're pairing with creative, dedicated partners to to reform education in the United States.

Common Core State Standards

On June 2, 2010, governors and state education commissioners—with contributions from many of our partners—released a set of common core state standards in English-language arts and mathematics for grades K-12. These standards are research- and evidence-based, internationally benchmarked, and aligned with college and work expectations. To read the standards, visit www.corestandards.org.

Research & Reports:

Developmental Education

Our research shows that improving remedial, or academic "catch up," programs is the most important thing that community colleges can do to improve their graduation rates. The foundation is committing $110 million to help that effort.

Fact Sheet:

Key Facts on Developmental Education

Related Speech:

Melinda French Gates: Raising the Bar on College Completion

Effective Teaching

Teachers matter most when it comes to student achievement. Read more about the role of effective teaching in preparing students for college success.

Fact Sheets:

Research & Reports:

Working with Teachers to Develop Fair and Reliable Measures of Effective Teaching
Identifying Effective Teachers Using Performance on the Job
The Widget Effect: Our National Failure to Acknowledge and Act on Differences in Teacher Effectiveness
(PDF, 6.1MB, 48 pages)
Best Practices for Teacher Effectiveness
(PDF, 129KB, 6 pages)

Strategy Overviews

The initiatives listed above are part of our overall strategic plan for education reform in the U.S., but here are some additional overview documents on our work in college-readiness and postsecondary success.

College-Readiness for High School Students

The majority of the materials above on effective teaching and common core state standards are part of our college-readiness program. But here are some additional strategy materials on how we plan to help a greater number of students graduate high school ready to complete college.

Strategy Documents:

Executive Summary
(PDF, 699KB, 2 pages)
Complete College-Ready Education Plan

Postsecondary Success Strategy

In an era when workers can be located anywhere on the globe, a college degree or training beyond high school is required for the best-paying jobs. Read more about how the foundation is trying to increase college graduation rates among low-income students.

Strategy Documents: