Working with Teachers to Develop Fair and Reliable Measures of Effective Teaching

New polling from New America and Gallup shows that most Americans still believe in the value of higher education, even amid headlines about cost and skepticism. While challenges remain—particularly around affordability—interest in enrolling is strong, and recent enrollment gains at community colleges point to growing demand for flexible, career-aligned options after high school.

This month, we reflect on the foundation’s bold new $200 billion commitment through 2045—a call to deepen impact and push the boundaries of what’s possible. The Pathways team is zeroing in on the high-stakes transition from high school to postsecondary life, focusing on integrated strategies like high-quality advising, dual enrollment, CTE, and FAFSA completion. Stay tuned as we continue to explore what strong, student-centered pathways look like in practice and spotlight the innovations shaping the future.

Our founder and chair, Bill Gates, recently shared a big announcement: Over the next two decades, we will double our giving. This month, the Postsecondary Success newsletter explores the role we play in delivering on that ambitious goal, and what our collective efforts could help achieve for students in the next 20 years.