Opening the Door Wider: A New National Effort to Expand Opportunity Through Advanced Coursework

For generations, education has been one of the clearest paths to a better future. It has helped families build stability, opened doors to careers, and made it possible for each generation to do better than the one before.

That promise still matters. But for too many students today, it is slipping out of reach.

Research from Opportunity Insights shows that only about half of children now earn more than their parents, a sharp decline from 90 percent of children born in 1940. At the same time, young people are increasingly uncertain about their future. In a recent Pew Research Center survey, just 39 percent of young adults said they believe the American dream is still attainable.

There is no single solution to reverse this trend. But one of the most effective and immediate ways to expand opportunity is already within reach: access to rigorous, high-quality coursework in high school.

Why advanced coursework matters

Courses like Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment do more than prepare students for college. They change trajectories.

Students who take these courses are more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in college, and complete a degree. Even taking a single AP course is linked to stronger first-year college performance and a higher likelihood of graduating on time. College cost savings is also a benefit for students taking advanced coursework. In 2025, students who earned qualifying scores of 3 and higher on AP Exams saved an estimated $5 billion in tuition and fees.

The impact extends beyond college. Students who participate in advanced coursework see meaningful gains in the workforce, earning thousands more each year in their early careers compared to their peers. More broadly, earning a college degree remains one of the most reliable drivers of economic mobility—college graduates earn 62% more than high school graduates, according to College Board’s Education Pays 2026 report.

Students who take advanced coursework are also more likely to stay on track to repay student debt and more likely to enter high-demand fields.

These outcomes are especially important for students from mid-to low-income backgrounds. For them, access to rigorous coursework can be a powerful lever for upward mobility.

The opportunity gap

The challenge is not a lack of talent. It is a lack of access.

In many school systems, advanced courses are still limited to a relatively small group of students, often those who already have strong support systems in place. Meanwhile, a large group of students remains overlooked. They are capable, motivated, and ready for more challenging work, but they are never identified, encouraged, or given the opportunity to enroll.

Educators sometimes refer to this group as the “missing middle.” These students represent one of the greatest opportunities for expanding access and improving long-term outcomes.

Closing this gap requires system-level change. Schools and districts need better ways to identify students, remove unnecessary barriers, and provide the support students need to succeed once they are in advanced courses.

A new national effort

To help accelerate this work, College Board and the Aspen Institute Education and Society Program are launching the Social Mobility Leadership Network, a multi-year initiative focused on expanding access to high-quality advanced coursework at scale.

The Network will bring together a national cohort of 20 to 25 superintendents and senior district leaders who are committed to making this change in their systems. Together, they will work to rethink how students are identified for advanced coursework, how barriers are removed, and how support systems are strengthened.

This effort combines Aspen’s leadership in driving system-level change with College Board’s expertise in advanced coursework, data, and scalable tools. The goal is ambitious but clear: to help districts reach one million students and put them on stronger paths to college, careers, and long-term success.

What participating districts can expect

Districts in the Social Mobility Leadership Network will receive targeted support to turn commitment into action.

That includes access to clear, actionable data to identify where students are being overlooked and where opportunities can be expanded. Leaders will receive hands-on technical assistance to implement policies and practices that increase enrollment and success in advanced coursework. They will also join a national peer network, including engagement with Education & Society Youth Advisory Partners to elevate student voice, while learning alongside other district leaders who are tackling similar challenges and sharing what works.

The Network will track progress over time and share what it learns, building a growing body of evidence that can help more districts take on this work.

A call to lead

School systems play a central role in shaping opportunities. The decisions districts make about access, expectations, and support can determine whether students are prepared for what comes next.

The Social Mobility Leadership Network is designed for leaders who are ready to take that responsibility on in a new way. Leaders who believe that access to rigorous coursework should not be limited to a select few. Leaders who recognize that talent exists in every classroom. And leaders who are committed to making the changes needed to ensure more students have the chance to succeed.

Applications for the inaugural cohort will open on May 14 and close on June 15, 2026. Bitly | bit.ly/4u593kZ 

Expanding access to advanced coursework is not just an academic goal. It is an economic one. When more students have the opportunity to challenge themselves and succeed, they are better positioned for strong futures, and the benefits ripple outward to families, communities, and the broader economy.

The work is already underway in districts across the country. This Network builds upon that momentum—bringing leaders together to help ensure more students can achieve the future they deserve.