In 2011, the National Urban League launched the12-Point Jobs Plan to Put America Back to Work. In 2012, we are issuing a public call for immediate national action around the education and job-training steps necessary to achieve these goals.

As a result of our long history of job training and education programs, the National Urban League understands the importance of equipping workers with a sound education. With the introduction of our 2012 Employment and Education Plan, we seek to raise this most urgent conversation to the top of our national news headlines. The time to act is now!

 
This list of practical and actionable ideas is a recommended approach to solving America’s crisis in education - one designed to spark serious discussion, while also serving as a policy playbook ready for action today. We view the following collection of ideas as the first step towards positive change, and a long-term education solution for America.  Although our traditional role has often been seen by many as a ‘bridge’ between the services available and the daily needs of the underserved of our cities, we fully accept the growing challenge asked of a historic Civil Rights Organizations such as ours, to take the lead in forcing our country to confront those basic sources of economic hardship that we can and must change within our lifetime.

1. Fair and Equitable
School Funding for All
 

2. Robust Early Childhood
Education for Each Child
 

3. Strengthen High Schools and
Re-engage Students to
Prevent Dropouts
 

4. Robust STEM Focused
Curriculum and Programs
 

5. Qualified, Effective and
Diverse Teachers
 

6. Strategic Workforce Development:
Targeting Americans Most in Need
 

7. New Job Training Models
Coupled with Job Placement
 

8. Improving and Integrating
Current Data Systems

To read the National Urban League's full 8-Point Plan Click Here.