K–12 Education

A lot is being asked of today’s K–12 education systems. To help students master the skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing job market, school districts and governments must continuously ensure the quality of their teaching workforce and equip schools and teachers with improved curricula—often in the face of budget cuts. The pandemic has only heightened these challenges, disrupting K–12 education around the world and exposing deep inequities.

At the same time, however, innovative technologies and approaches are creating new opportunities for K–12 education. Personalized learning, digital tools, and so-called wraparound support programs—with an emphasis on nutrition, after-school tutoring, health and mental health services, and college preparation—are delivering individualized student experiences and ensuring that children have the necessary support to learn and thrive.

BCG’s framework brings together everyone in the local education ecosystem—school operators, businesses, local and national partners—and creates a team that is committed to improving student outcomes. It then incorporates five elements to create the right context for change:

• Effective Leadership and Management. Establish programs to upgrade the quality of K–12 education leadership in school districts and schools.
• Sufficient Resources. Provide adequate funding and robust physical and technological infrastructure for schools.
• Strong Accountability. Develop policies to hold states, districts, schools, and teachers accountable for student outcomes.
• Rigorous Standards. Set rigorous K–12 education standards and requirements (such as Common Core).
• Sophisticated Data and Measurement Systems. Create reporting systems that enable real-time decision making and accountability.