McKinsey's latest thinking on the issues that matter most in education, from improving access to early childhood education, to improving teacher quality and student outcomes across school systems, to transforming higher education institutions
Insights on Education
Featured Insights
Article
From surplus to scarcity: K–12 districts brace for leaner years
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Declining enrollment and funding, rising costs, and increasing student needs are putting public school districts under pressure. Our latest survey reveals K–12 leaders’ concerns and reactions.
Article
Addressing youth mental health through school-based services
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One in five US children has a mental health condition. Schools may play a critical role in providing evidence-based interventions. We suggest six actions for states to consider.
Report
Spark & Sustain: How all of the world’s school systems can improve learning at scale
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Student achievement is stagnating globally and millions of children are not learning, but meaningful change is possible by taking lessons from systems that are beating the odds.
Article
K–12 teachers are quitting. What would make them stay?
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New McKinsey research shows that nearly a third of US K–12 educators are thinking of leaving their jobs. But there are steps districts could take to attract and retain the teachers the nation needs.
Article
Advancing racial equity in US pre-K–12 education
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Six actions could help close racial gaps in US pre-K–12 academic achievement.
McKinsey Direct
Affording a college degree: Is the cost curve bending?
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Recent trends indicate an improvement in the affordability of a four-year degree in the United States. The question is whether the trend can continue.
McKinsey Direct
Six lessons for incoming university presidents
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The most effective university presidents use the first six to 12 months of their tenure to renew and reinvigorate the institution. Six actions could set them up for success.
Report
Fulfilling the potential of US higher education
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With bold, decisive action, the US higher education sector could expand its impact, deliver on its promise of more-equitable outcomes, and improve the nation’s economic competitiveness.
Executive Briefing
Racial and ethnic equity in US higher education
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Institutions have the potential to use their roles in teaching and learning, research scholarship and creative expression, and service to the community to collectively work toward greater equity.
Article - McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility
Manufacturing in rural America: A plan for K–12–industry partnerships
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A seismic threefold increase in advanced-manufacturing investment could transform rural America by driving economic growth, creating high-quality jobs, and revitalizing communities.
Article
How health systems and educators can work to close the talent gap
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US health systems could address workforce shortages across a wide range of healthcare roles by setting up their own education entities or partnering with postsecondary-education institutions.
Report - MGI Research
Generative AI and the future of work in America
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Which jobs will be in demand? Which ones are shrinking? And which ones could be hardest to fill?
Report
The skills revolution and the future of learning and earning
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Technology is changing the nature of work. To prepare the workforce of tomorrow and ensure sustainable and inclusive growth, education and vocational training will need to adapt to new ways of working.
Article
When the money runs out: K–12 schools brace for stimulus-free budgets
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As pandemic-related government funding ends, some school districts face tough choices. In our latest survey, K–12 leaders express concerns about budget pressures and their impact on students.
McKinsey Direct
Beyond the bus: Five key challenges in US student transportation
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Getting K–12 students to school is a complex endeavor that requires significant investment and innovation. Stakeholders could face five key challenges within the next decade.
Article
What do higher education students want from online learning?
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McKinsey surveyed more than 7,000 students in 17 countries to find out which elements of online higher education they value most.
Article
Five trends to watch in the edtech industry
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The adult edtech sector is evolving as quickly as it is growing. Significant changes are taking place in M&A opportunities, geographic hotspots, user demands, and the enterprise market.