Anabelle Morgan

Do Generation Z and Millennials expect to be worse or better off than their parents? Do they think they will succeed in life and experience the American Dream? What do they believe will help them succeed? Contrary to much of today’s conventional wisdom, young people—especially youth of color—are optimistic about their futures and believe they will succeed in life. They also believe in and think they will achieve the American Dream, defined on their terms.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker visits Forest Park Middle School, which uses vacation-academy instruction as part of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. The American K–12 public school system looks nothing like it did two months ago. Educators are scrambling to adapt to virtual environments, while too many students have not yet engaged with online learning at all.

Commonwealth Academy in Alexandria, Virginia. As the news began to emerge a few weeks ago that the world was rapidly and severely becoming affected by the spread of the novel coronavirus, schools grew increasingly concerned. When school closings became a likely outcome, school leaders began to reflect on how to continue delivering on their mission and promise to their students. That was particularly true for schools, like the one I lead, whose mission is to serve students with learning differences.