A very brief, very high level introduction to the topic area.

An invitation to engage with the Briefing Book, with explicit requests to provide feedback; this must be very clear as to the mechanisms for feedback, and open ended as to the kinds of feedback needed.

This section will provide a very brief summary of the major groups who are stakeholders in this Priority area.

Students

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Parents

Teachers

Administrators

Taxpayers

Federal Government

The Federal Government drives the very high level conversation in Education (for example). Because some funding at the local level is driven by governmental programs, engagement at the federal level is essential. Further, the Federal Government is instrumental in legislation driving local programming through programs such as No Child Left Behind.

State Government

Similarly to the scenario described at the Federal level, state Boards of Education drive funding and educational programming.

Local Government

Unfortunately for many students, the rubber hits the road at the local level - municipalities are responsible for ensuring appropriate educational experience for local students. They are also responsible for complying with state and federal regulations, often with woefully insufficient funding.

95% of the world’s customers and 80% of total purchasing power is overseas. A “Fortress America” approach to the economy just isn’t viable – and never has been. Our future prosperity is inexorably tied to the degree we can tap into the global markets. Already 38 million Americans are in jobs related to international trade – that’s one in every five. This number must grow – in fact increasing our role in the international economy is the key to ensuring future generations have the economic opportunities they deserve. Our future prosperity depends on leveling the playing field for U.S. businesses and making sure we reestablish leadership in delivering the high value added products and services the world needs. This isn’t just the path to job growth, but what will foster the higher paying, exciting careers our citizens need to realize the American Dream. If we get this right it won’t trigger the “race to the bottom” in earnings and working conditions that many understandably fear, but to a better and more stable world.

We face two fundamental challenges to progress on trade. First, our ability and commitment to making American trade competitiveness a top national priority. Our governance process has been fine-tuned to address the narrow interests of large and well-funded special interests – which makes it hard to take on the big issues like tax policy, education and infrastructure that are holding us back. This process has also resulted in a highly complex and bureaucratic business environment that hampers and can even derail small to medium sized firms seeking to expand abroad. Breaking out of this cycle won’t be easy, but is possible with a broad based and passionate coalition. This coalition must bring together the business sector, the public sector and mainstream citizens and forge a comprehensive, strategic approach to U.S. trade policy. Second, opening up global markets isn’t something that can be done unilaterally and often requires years of negotiation. Here patience paired with resolve is essential – as is leading by example. Right now our politicized approach to global trade isn’t giving us the high ground and moral authority to drive further reform and liberalization. Too often we come across as a house divided against itself which undermines our credibility abroad and makes securing investment in the U.S. a tougher sell.