The Aspen Institute and College Board Launch National Social Mobility Leadership Network to Expand Access to High-Quality Advanced Coursework

NEW YORK, NY— At a time when economic mobility is increasingly out of reach for many American families, the Aspen Institute’s Education & Society Program (ESP), part of the Institute’s Center for Rising Generations, and the College Board today announced the launch of the Social Mobility Leadership Network (SMLN), a multiyear initiative designed to help 1 million students access high-quality advanced coursework that opens doors to college, career, and long-term success.

Access to high-quality advanced coursework is one of the most powerful ways to expand opportunity and strengthen social mobility. Yet too many students, especially those from low- and middle-income backgrounds, are never given that chance. This partnership will bring together 25 superintendents and senior district leaders from communities where opportunities for high-quality advanced coursework like Advanced Placement^® (AP^®), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual enrollment, are uneven and may vary by school. These leaders will show that expanding access is both achievable and essential to strengthening economic mobility. This network is distinct in its scale and its focus on action—bringing together district leaders not just to share ideas, but to implement proven strategies resulting in expanded access to high-quality advanced coursework for 1 million students.

“Too many students who are ready to succeed in high-quality advanced coursework are never given the opportunity to do so,” said Dr. Janice K. Jackson, executive director of the Education & Society Program at the Aspen Institute. “We challenge this hard truth by bringing together district leaders from around the country—building on the lessons from Chicago Public Schools, where we saw removing barriers to high-quality, college preparatory programs fundamentally shift students’ life outcomes—to open doors, challenge assumptions, and build systems that recognize talent. To strengthen social and economic mobility in this country, we must begin by expanding access to the opportunities that prepare all students for their next steps.”

“Rigorous coursework should not be a privilege for a few. It should be a pathway for many,” said David Coleman, CEO of College Board. “We’ve seen that even one advanced course can change the trajectory of a student’s life. This partnership is about uncovering talent we cannot yet see, opening doors, and supporting students as they step into that challenge. When we expand those pathways, more young people can see a future they believe in and take ownership of where it leads.”

A New Architecture for Advanced Learning

Education has long been a driver of upward mobility—but that promise is weakening. Today, only about 50% of children earn more than their parents, a sharp decline from previous generations, and many young people are increasingly uncertain that economic stability is within reach.

Access to high-quality AP, IB, and dual enrollment courses is one of the clearest ways to reverse this trend. AP courses build the skills students need for college and careers—challenging them to think critically, communicate clearly, and apply knowledge across disciplines. Students who take these courses are more likely to graduate high school, complete college, and access higher-paying careers. A single AP course can improve college outcome and long-term earnings, College Board research shows.

Yet, talent is far more evenly distributed than opportunity. In many districts, advanced coursework remains limited to a small group of students, while a large “missing middle” with the potential to succeed is never identified or given access. The SMLN is designed to help districts close that gap.

Strategic Partnership and Core Focus Areas

The Aspen Institute brings national leadership in convening district leaders and driving system-level change, while the College Board contributes expertise in advanced coursework, supported by the data and tools needed to expand access at scale.

District leaders will receive research, data analytics, technical support, and access to a national peer network. The SMLN will track progress and share results to help districts expand opportunity over time.

Participating districts will focus on four key areas:

1. Talent Identification using data to identify high-potential, overlooked students. 
2. Policy and Systems Changes such as universal screening and removing unnecessary prerequisites. 
3. Instructional Readiness preparing educators to deliver and students to succeed in high-quality advanced coursework.
4. Belief Changes challenging assumptions about who belongs in advanced academic learning.

Timeline and Participation

The SMLN will officially launch its three-year learning arc in September 2026 with an inaugural convening in Aspen, Colorado. Districts can apply to represent a range of communities nationwide and commit to expanding access and tracking outcomes across student groups.

This initiative advances the Center for Rising Generations at the Aspen Institute’s commitment to cultivating youth leadership and strengthening intergenerational collaboration to address one of the nation’s most urgent challenges: expanding access and economic mobility.

About the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program

The Education & Society Program is a pillar of the Aspen Institute Center for Rising Generations and is dedicated to improving public education in the United States. Our vision is that public education affords every student the opportunities and experiences they need to actively participate in civic life, thrive in the world of work and develop a healthy sense of self, which contributes to social justice and shared economic prosperity.
 

About the Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners.
 

About College Board

College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT^® and AP^® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture^® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. Learn more at cb.org. 

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