Former White House Domestic Policy Council Directors Weigh In
July 9, 2018
Melody Barnes and John Bridgeland, former directors of the White House Domestic Policy Council under former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush respectively, authored a piece on the opportunity for ESSA to “reduce massive disparities in educational outcomes for youth.” Barnes and Bridgeland argued that if ESSA is implemented correctly, the law could “ensure that more resources — up to $2 billion annually — are invested in solutions that have a proven track record of improving student outcomes.” They also note that, “Those investments could help decision makers make better use of data and evidence of what works in education.” The two recognize that “flexibility comes with new responsibility,” but they encourage leaders “to seize this opportunity to align innovation with data, evidence, and continuous learning.”