WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced the launch of a nationwide Future of Data in K-12 Education Design Challenge, to develop innovative ideas on how to improve public school assessments and accountability in the United States. The Design Challenge is the next phase in a multi-year initiative, the Future of Data in K-12 Education, launched earlier this year.
In October, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, revealed the largest declines ever recorded in math for 4th and 8th graders — particularly for students of color and students with disabilities. The results highlighted the importance of setting high standards and maintaining aligned assessments, as information on student performance is crucial to addressing inequities.
Through the Design Challenge, the U.S. Chamber Foundation will field ideas from the brightest minds in K-12 education to see how they are viewing the current policy landscape, and to understand the problems they are facing, identify changes they would like to see, and how they would propose implementing those changes.
"A lot has changed concerning assessments and accountability in the 20 years since No Child Left Behind,” said Cheryl Oldham, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation senior vice president. “There are new, better methods of testing in our K-12 schools that go beyond multiple-choice and allow students to better demonstrate their knowledge. It’s time to think critically about how accountability and assessment policy and practice should evolve to match what we now know.”
All Design Challenge proposals will be reviewed by the U.S. Chamber Foundation and the Future of Data Working Group. Cash prizes will be awarded to both the top 20 ($5,000) and top six ($30,000) proposals. The winners will be selected in April 2023, recognized publicly, and invited to present their proposals to the working group, media, and public in June 2023. Entrants must submit their proposal to FutureofData@USChamber.com before 11:59 p.m. EST on February 24, 2023.
To learn more about the Design Challenge, rules, and how to submit a proposal, visit uschamberfoundation.org/future-of-data-design-challenge.
