What They Are Saying: Pilot States Highlight Early Successes with the Learning Agenda Playbook

Following the Learning Agenda Playbook (the Playbook) release this morning, state leaders from the eight pilot states praised the framework as a resource to improve state education policies, programs, and student outcomes. The Playbook marks a pivotal milestone in returning education to the states and driving improvements at the state and local levels.

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• Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva: "Arkansas is proud to partner with the Department, alongside other states, to identify problems of practice and develop lasting solutions. This Playbook will help drive improved outcomes for all students by advancing a unified accountability approach and strengthening coordinated support across our education system."
• Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods: "Too often, states are asked to do 'just one more thing,' adding paperwork and administrative burdens that do little to improve outcomes for students. What makes this work different is that it helps us focus on the 'one thing' that matters most. In Georgia, this project is helping us build better systems and connect more meaningfully with those closest to the work - our teachers, students, families, and other stakeholders - as we implement our core goals. We appreciate the U.S. Department of Education's commitment to investing in states as they implement their strategic priorities. Ultimately, we know this work will help us ensure that every action we take as an agency has the greatest possible impact where it matters most: in the classroom."
• Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield: "The development of Idaho's Learning Agenda has provided a framework for evaluating the impact of our initiatives and priorities while strengthening our data-driven decision-making. This pilot has also improved communication across our teams and better aligned our efforts around our student outcome goals. That connection helps ensure the work we do is focused, coordinated and ultimately making a difference for Idaho students."
• Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Jake Steel: "We are grateful for the opportunity to participate as a pilot state in the Learning Agenda Initiative. This work gave Kansas dedicated time and support to bring people together around a coherent approach to school improvement and better align our priorities, resources, research and evaluation. Learning alongside other states strengthened our work and will help us make evidence-based decisions, continuously improve our efforts and achieve better outcomes for Kansas students."
• New Hampshire Commissioner of Education Caitlin Davis: "The Learning Agenda process has been an important part of our work at the New Hampshire Department of Education. As a pilot state, it gave us a structured opportunity to step back, ask the right questions, and use evidence to sharpen our priorities and direction. This has been especially helpful as we develop New Hampshire's new statewide literacy plan and identify the strategies that will have the greatest impact on student achievement. Through this work, we have also connected with partners in other states that have undertaken similar efforts and learned a great deal from their experiences. The Learning Agenda has helped us better align our work and establish a strong foundation for improving outcomes across the state. We appreciate the U.S. Department of Education for giving New Hampshire the opportunity to participate.
• Tennessee Commissioner of Education Lizzette Reynolds: "Tennessee's participation in the Learning Agenda initiative is an exciting opportunity to ensure we have the right information aligned with TDOE priorities and to identify practical solutions to current challenges. By highlighting powerful stories of impact and effective practices across our state, we can motivate educators and stakeholders to replicate what works best for students nationwide. This commitment to continuous improvement will help drive sustained progress in education."
• Utah Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Molly Hart: "Developing data-driven solutions is essential to meeting the unique needs of our students and schools. Partnering in the development of the Learning Agenda Playbook has helped strengthen our state's capacity to turn research into actionable, impact-focused strategies. We are proud to support this tool to help education leaders nationwide use evidence to strengthen student success."
• Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly: "The learning agenda presented Wisconsin with an opportunity to add capacity to our state's existing strategic plan, specifically around early childhood. We were able to map data and systems to plan for change that better aligns the multiple agencies and partners working to serve young children. It also reinforced alignment with all of Wisconsin's technical assistance partners."

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