Nationwide, only 27% of all eighth graders meet NAEP proficiency, and just one-third of high school graduates are college-ready in math. That’s a critical challenge demanding attention in every state. Join us for the evidence-based solutions that are transforming secondary math education: rigorous, aligned pathways; accelerated access to advanced coursework; and inclusive policies that help every student achieve math competency needed for their college, career and life goals.

As states and students demand tangible returns on education investments, accountability in higher education is taking center stage. This session explores how states can build on the OBBA requirement comparing graduate wages to peers without a degree and what that means for policy and practice. Three states share their innovative approaches for ensuring postsecondary education delivers real economic value for students and a strong return for states. We’ll explore how higher ed accountability can be used to strengthen academic programs and long-term student success.

Discover how strategic policies can draw innovative charter schools to your state. We’ll explore which policies attract high performers to a new state, which support the growth of successful existing models and which deter growth—all with a focus on maintaining the autonomy and innovation that make charter schools unique. This is a great session for policymakers, administrators and education leaders seeking to expand high-quality school options.

As states invest in literacy, math, career readiness and school improvement, they also must build a strong educator workforce. Traditional preparation pathways alone are not meeting today’s demand, and many talented professionals face barriers that discourage them from entering and staying in the classroom. Learn how innovations such as industry-to-classroom pathways, paraprofessional pipelines, and reforms that restore teachers’ focus, authority and professional autonomy are attracting, preparing and retaining talented educators. You’ll come away with practical strategies to ensure every student has access to an effective teacher and a high-quality education.

While cellphone bans are addressing in-school concerns, screen time remains high for most kids. In fact, 70% of students are spending most of their time between 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. on screens, missing out on social connections, physical activity and more. This session explores actionable solutions, such as measuring out-of-school time, state and federal incentives to enroll more kids in after-school programs and policies that help young people build stronger social connections and independence. Learn how prioritizing access, quality and targeted solutions could help students thrive beyond the classroom.

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program offers states a new tool to expand educational options. States should see the FSTC as an enhancement, not a replacement, for their own choice programs, while guarding against potential risks of federal regulatory creep. Join us to hear from advocates and experts about what the federal program offers to families and what states stand to gain and lose by not participating.

Discover how states are transforming adolescent literacy through innovative policy and evidence-based practices. We’ll take a close look at implementation strategies, including prevention-focused approaches and pilot programs that complement early literacy progress. We’ll also provide solutions to common challenges and address controversial topics, such as eighth grade retention. Attendees will get a first look at ExcelinEd’s new resources to support states in policy development and implementation and gain actionable insights into what’s driving adolescent literacy improvement across the nation.

When states embrace meaningful accountability for student outcomes, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Students who are prepared to thrive can strengthen our economy, enrich our communities, engage in civic life and pursue futures filled with possibility.  Accountability alone does not improve achievement—but the transparent, objective data is catalyst for better decisions. Join us as we explore the essential data and calculations behind successful school accountability systems and spotlight states that showcase what strong design looks like in practice. The expectations we set today help shape the opportunities students will have tomorrow. Let’s raise the bar—and build a brighter future together.

Join us to explore what the latest data tells us about childhood well-being, and what states can do about it. Drawing on findings from The Anxious Generation’s newly released Childhood Index, this session will highlight how states are advancing policies that create healthier environments for children to learn, grow and build resilience. We’ll examine three key policy levers: distraction-free schools, greater opportunities for childhood independence and online safety protections for children—and explore how these strategies work together to support healthy childhood development. Gain insights into emerging state approaches and practical strategies to prioritize child well-being in your state.

Join ExcelinEd CEO Patricia Levesque in a dynamic moderated conversation with best-selling author and education innovator Michael B. Horn as they tackle one of the most pressing questions facing education leaders and policymakers today: How do we harness the power of AI while putting the right guardrails in place? Drawing on the latest research, Horn makes a compelling case for balance in AI policy to avoid both unchecked adoption and overly restrictive regulation. This session will equip leaders with ExcelinEd’s new policy framework to make informed, responsible decisions about AI safety in their schools and systems.

Declining enrollment is a reality across the country, but the root cause is often misdiagnosed. Solutions that balance district budgets aren’t always good for kids or communities. What’s the best path forward? Join us to learn how states can proactively address K-12 enrollment declines with the right data, strategic staffing and governance practices that guide school consolidation and closure, where needed. Schools can still pursue excellence and keep students achieving even as enrollment numbers change.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the skills employers need and changing what it means to be career-ready. This session will unpack the latest research on how AI systems are transforming the workforce and highlight emerging state and national policy strategies for integrating AI into career pathways and CTE programs. We’ll share innovative approaches to ensure students graduate prepared for an AI-powered economy while strengthening the durable human skills that technology cannot replace.

Discover how states can strengthen postsecondary access while ensuring the degrees and credentials students earn deliver real value. This session will explore policies that remove barriers and accelerate student progress into and through college, such as dual enrollment, targeted tuition support and aligned pathways. Attendees will leave with data-driven strategies to increase educational attainment, connect students to meaningful careers, enhance state workforce competitiveness and drive strong economic outcomes.

Interest in a four-day school week has been gaining momentum as districts look to address staffing pressures, tight budgets and parental demand. Yet research is raising serious questions about its effectiveness.  Do longer days preserve meaningful instructional time? Does the schedule improve teacher recruitment and retention? Do students learn comparatively well…and how do families navigate the fifth day? This panel draws on state-level perspectives and the latest research to examine worrisome data, difficult tradeoffs and essential guardrails that protect student outcomes without ignoring the pressing challenges communities are trying to solve.

Lack of affordable facilities is doing far more than slowing charter school growth. It’s forcing charter schools to divert substantial funding intended for student instruction to the acquisition, debt service and maintenance of their physical classroom space. This session explores the facility challenges faced by public charter schools and highlights how some states are closing the facility gaps that, ultimately, negatively affect teachers and students. We’ll also explore a new rating system that quantifies a state’s facility gap and identifies best practices that can direct more charter school dollars toward instruction and learning.