More Than 20 School Districts Unite to Put 1 Million Students on a Path to Advanced Coursework

College Board

• September 2, 2026

The Aspen Institute's Education & Society Program (ESP) and the College Board today announced the school districts selected to join the inaugural cohort of the Social Mobility Leadership Network (SMLN), a multiyear initiative designed to help one million students gain access to high-quality advanced coursework in high school, including Advanced Placement^® (AP^®), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual enrollment.

The districts span urban, suburban, rural, and county systems in 16 states. The selection process was highly competitive, with applicants evaluated on leadership commitment, data infrastructure, and readiness to implement high-quality advanced coursework at scale. Superintendents and senior district leaders from these systems will officially launch the cohort at a convening in September 2026, beginning a three-year learning arc that runs through 2029.

Education has long been one of the country's most reliable drivers of upward mobility, but that promise has weakened: Only about half of children today grow up to out-earn their parents, a steep drop from previous generations. Expanding access to high-quality AP, IB, and dual enrollment coursework is one of the most direct ways to reverse that trend, as students who take these courses are more likely to graduate high school, finish college, and go on to higher-paying careers. College Board research shows even a single AP course can meaningfully improve college outcomes and long-term earnings. But in many districts, advanced coursework remains available to only a narrow slice of students. SMLN is designed to expand this critical access.

The following districts make up the first SMLN cohort:

• Alief Independent School District, Texas
• Atlanta Public Schools, Georgia
• Chicago Public Schools, Illinois
• Clark County School District, Nevada
• Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Ohio
• Compton Unified School District, California
• Denver Public Schools, Colorado
• Detroit Public Schools Community District, Michigan
• Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia
• Hillsborough County Public Schools, Florida
• Jackson Public School District, Mississippi
• Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado
• Long Beach Unified School District, California
• Manhattan High Schools District, New York
• Metro Nashville Public Schools, Tennessee
• Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Florida
• Milwaukee Public Schools, Wisconsin
• Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland
• Prince William County Public Schools, Virginia
• Richmond Public Schools, Virginia
• Rochester Public Schools, Minnesota
• School Administrative Unit (SAU) 20, New Hampshire
• The Innovation Project NC, North Carolina
• Yonkers Public Schools, New York

"These districts are raising their hands to do something bold," said Dr. Janice K. Jackson, executive director of the Education & Society Program at the Aspen Institute. "They've demonstrated readiness to challenge old assumptions about who belongs in advanced coursework and build systems to find and support students who have been overlooked. We're proud to work alongside these districts as they open doors for students across their communities."

"A century ago, this country decided a high school education should be universal, and we built the system to deliver it. That decision helped power the century that followed," said David Coleman, CEO of College Board. "We are at a similar inflection point now, and access to high-quality advanced coursework is one of the strongest levers left for rebuilding social mobility. Our schools are where the opportunity is built, and the leaders from these districts are ready to pick up the tools and invite every student with the talent to seize it."

What's Next

Over the next three years, districts in the network will build on their progress by deepening efforts across four core areas: using data to expand the identification of high-potential students; refining policies and systems to broaden access; strengthening instructional readiness for educators and students; and reinforcing the shared belief that all students can succeed in advanced academic learning.

By 2029, participating districts aim to significantly increase the proportion of low-income and "missing middle" students who take part in at least one high-quality AP, IB, or dual enrollment course, with progress defined by each district's own baseline data and three-year growth targets and validated through shared network metrics.

About the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program
The Education & Society Program is a pillar of the Aspen Institute Center for Rising Generations and is dedicated to improving public education in the United States. Our vision is that public education affords every student the opportunities and experiences they need to actively participate in civic life, thrive in the world of work, and develop a healthy sense of self, which contributes to social justice and shared economic prosperity.

Contact: [email protected]

About the Aspen Institute
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society's greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.

About College Board
College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT^® and AP^® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture^® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. Learn more at cb.org. 

Contact: [email protected]