Upward mobility requires education. Here’s how America falls short.

Give yourself the gift of knowledge — subscribe to Big Think Edge: http://bit.ly/bigthinkedge America's educational system has become frayed by lackluster civic engagement. - One credible way to help children born into poverty get out of it is by providing them with a great education. Indeed, the best, high-paying jobs are going to go to the nations with the best-education people. - On top of helping solve socio-economic inequality, a quality education also promotes a civically-minded, knowledgable citizenry. - Education has become a partisan issue — it should be the opposite. It's also become frayed by lackluster civic engagement. Arne Duncan was one of the longest-serving members of President Barack Obama’s cabinet and among the most influential Secretaries of Education in history. He is now a managing partner with the Emerson Collective. How Schools Work: An Inside Account of Failure and Success from One of the Nation's Longest-Serving Secretaries of Education https://amzn.to/2HpdL88 If you're interested in licensing this or any other Big Think clip for commercial or private use, contact our licensing partner Executive Interviews: https://ift.tt/2IQF1gR Read more here: https://ift.tt/2ZpFGed Follow Big Think here: YouTube: http://goo.gl/CPTsV5 Facebook: https://ift.tt/1qJMX5g Twitter: https://twitter.com/bigthink