Across the Aisle

Transforming Education Through Coalition-Building

Seventy-six percent of parents believe today’s education system is a major problem or in crisis.

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a cataclysmic disruption of America’s education system. At the same time, the public became more aware than ever of the shortcomings that existed in education long before the pandemic. Unprecedented in how it has affected the entire population, The Hunt Institute formed The Covid Constituency, comprised of a growing coalition of parents, teachers, students, education leaders, and organizations that desired systemic changes in education rather than reverting to our pre-pandemic system.

This work has since grown beyond the confines of the pandemic into Across the Aisle: Bridging the Education Divide. The Hunt Institute and former Governor Wise (WV) created and expanded the initiative to collect firsthand experiences, perceptions, and priorities of those most impacted by our education system to translate them into actionable policies that will fundamentally change education for the better.

Click on Each Icon Below to Read Narratives from Parents

“Never before have so many people from so many different backgrounds been aware of how their students engage in schooling and the challenges our education system faces. Now is the time to act.” - Governor Bob Wise 

Reports & Resources

Blog Posts

The Across the Aisle blog series, part of The Hunt Institute’s The Intersection blog, offera space to share publications from the project and other resources that will help inform policymakers as they work to transform education, while allowing opportunity for others to contribute information and partner in this important work.

Op-Eds

Webinars

Our four-part webinar series, Emerging Priorities in Education, highlighted survey findings and specific areas for policy improvement.

  • Tuesday, September 28, 2021 | Using Polling Insights to Drive Educational Change | Watch
  • Thursday, September 30, 2021 | Digital Safety for Teachers and Students | Watch
  • Thursday, October 21, 2021 | Closing Skills Gaps through Online Learning | Watch
  • Thursday, November 18, 2021 | The Digital Divide: Lessons Learned from the Pandemic and Long-term Considerations | Watch
  • Thursday, August 4, 2022 | Redesigning Education: Accelerating Innovative Approaches with Federal Dollars | Watch – NEW!
  • Thursday, August 18, 2022 | Changing the Narrative for Effective Parent and Family Engagement | Watch – NEW!
  • Thursday, October 20, 2022 | Emerging Priorities: What Parents and Families Want in Education | Watch – NEW!

“At this moment, there is a convergence of once-in-a-lifetime levels of spending for states alongside a coalescing public will to make change. With this work we aim to provide everything the Constituency might need to be able to advocate effectively for that change.” - Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, President & CEO

Stay in the Loop

Keep up with the latest on this project through social media:

The Across the Aisle Group Page

The Hunt Institute 

Dr. Javaid Siddiqi 

  • Follow our President & CEO on Twitter

Governor Bob Wise 

  • Follow Governor Bob Wise on Twitter

Carnegie Corporation of New York: This project is made possible by CCNY. 

Learn More About Our Initiative

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