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This paper discusses a framework for education policy, from early childhood through post-secondary education, along with major reform ideas consistent with that framework. We present evidence showing that education is critical to broad-based economic growth. Investments in education yield large returns to both society and the individual. Furthermore, expanding access to high-quality education directly addresses one of the major causes of increased inequality: technological changes that increasingly reward skilled workers. The paper presents evidence suggesting that America's educational system is neither in crisis nor reaching its full potential. To better secure the benefits of a strong education system, the paper outlines an evidence-based strategy that calls for new investments in some areas (such as early education) and structural reforms in others (such as the teacher tenure system). A recently proposed early education program for disadvantaged children and a proposal to dramatically simplify the federal student financial aid system are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, too many Americans are not fully sharing in our nation's prosperity. Real median wages have stagnated, income inequality has increased, and changes in the economy that have brought benefits have also brought new risks and insecurities. In response to these challenges, our nation needs to act now on three fronts. First, our nation must make the right long-term investments to promote economic growth that is both strong and sustainable. Second, it is necessary to put in place economic policies that will better achieve broad-based participation in that growth. Third, for growth to be sustainable, it is necessary to restore sound fiscal policy, moving on a multiyear path to a sustainable fiscal position. This paper elaborates on the economic challenges and the recommended policy responses. It considers the commonly held view that promoting economic growth, broad-based participation in growth, and economic security may be contradictory policy objectives, but finds instead that these objectives can be mutually reinforcing. It argues that while free markets are the cornerstone of economic growth, there is a necessary role for robust government action to support and supplement market forces and to help share the gains of growth more broadly. In an effort to advance innovative ideas about how to invest in our nation's future prosperity and to enhance families' economic security, The Hamilton Project has released strategy papers offering a broad vision for policy in a range of areas, as well as dozens of discussion papers on a wide variety of topics. These topics include education, health care, income security, science and technology, tax policy, climate change, energy security, infrastructure, workforce training, housing and financial markets, and poverty reduction, among others. These papers have all been written by leading scholars and grounded in real-world evidence about what works, not ideology and doctrine. This paper draws on this body of work to offer a vision for how to achieve opportunity, prosperity, and strong, broad-based economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces that the Hamilton Project will be releasing additional discussion papers on enhancing economic security of families in the U.S. and sharing the benefits of economic growth. A number of options will be released by the project in 2007 and these include to improve health security and build a more-educated workforce.

The article discusses the pillars of The Hamilton Project, an economic development project to advance opportunity, prosperity and growth in the U.S., which are education and work, innovation and infrastructure, savings and insurance, and effective government. It states that the project will put forward research-based proposals aimed at elementary and secondary schools, higher education, workforce training and work incentives. It proposes that the U.S. must increase its investment in science and technology.

The article focuses on Hamilton Project's recommendations about how U.S. can make strategic and effective investments in broad-based growth. The policy proposals have been built based on the significance of workforce productivity, innovation and infrastructure, and effective government. It stresses the significance of the improvement of the skills of the American workforce to counteract the troubling labor market trends and the importance of government research funding for novel technology.

Roughly one-third of households in rural America cannot subscribe to broadband Internet services at any price. This puts many rural communities at a disadvantage with respect to economic growth, job creation, educational opportunities, health care information, commerce, and more. Internet users in urban areas are also adversely affected by the exclusion of so many rural households. For example, e-commerce merchants can attract fewer customers, online universities can attract fewer students, and users of e-mail, Internet telephony, and videoconferencing can communicate with fewer friends and business associates. Government can facilitate the expansion of broadband infrastructure into unserved communities through a suite of interrelated policies. Appropriate changes in spectrum policy would reduce the cost of building new broadband wireless systems in rural areas. These potential new wireless providers could then compete with existing telephone, cable, and cellular companies and other organizations for the obligation to bring broadband to an unserved community in return for a one-time subsidy. Defining this obligation in a highly flexible form and making it tradable on an open market would minimize the cost of infrastructure deployment and thereby reduce the subsidies needed. Attaching very lightweight restrictions on subsidy recipients could protect consumers from monopoly providers that might be tempted to limit their customers' choice of content or applications. Allowing and encouraging local government agencies to play an active role could encourage providers to deploy infrastructure by guaranteeing future revenues and ensuring access to critical resources. Collecting better information on availability of broadband services nationwide would allow both policymakers and potential service providers to better identify the communities that need service. Together, these mutually reinforcing policy reforms would allow government to move the United States closer to the goal of universal access to broadband Internet by harnessing market forces without competing with market forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses general principles in infrastructure investment in the U.S. It explains the role of the government in infrastructure investment and mentions several distinctive aspects of infrastructure that create a critical role for the government. It discusses how infrastructure investment can contribute to long-term economic growth. Also mentioned are ways the government can help ensure that infrastructure investment contributes to broad based growth.

The article focuses on the concerns raised with carbon pricing in the U.S. to address global climate change. It discusses the objections pertaining to cap-and-trade systems and a carbon tax, including its impact on the economic growth of the country. It claims that carbon tax pricing will allow firms to pay for the right to pollute. Concerns specific to a carbon tax include the possibility that it may not provide a consistent and steady stream of revenue.

The article discusses the importance of providing broadband access to unserved communities in the U.S. Among the benefits of broadband access to both Internet users and nonusers are increased economic growth and improved government services. The three complementary policy changes that could facilitate broadband connectivity for such communities are explained. It argues that a comprehensive Internet policy might advance universal service through increasing the number of Internet users.

The article discusses the role of the government in delivering strong economic growth in the U.S. from the concepts of The Hamilton Project. It suggests that the government must abandon old and inefficient approaches. It adds that the government must also seek efficiency in the regulations it uses to guide private firms, not in its own operations alone. It proposes that the government should intervene where markets fail by taking risk and reward calculations into account.

The article summarizes concepts under The Hamilton Project, an economic strategy to advance opportunity, prosperity and growth in the U.S. It states that the U.S. has failed to make the decision required to advance opportunity, prosperity and growth. It informs that the economic strategy of the Project reflects a judgment that long-term prosperity is best achieved by making economic growth broad-based. It adds that the strategy calls for fiscal discipline and for increased public investment in key growth-enhancing areas.

The article offers information on guiding principles used in the U.S. Hamilton Project, which aims to advance the nation's promise of opportunity, prosperity, and growth. Principles such as economic growth is stronger and more sustainable when it is broad based; economic security and economic growth are mutually reinforcing; and effective government enhances economic growth are elaborated. The significance of effective governance to the long-term growth of any economy is also highlighted.

The article concludes that the U.S. has the opportunity to channel public concern and frustration into a national infrastructure strategy that promotes infrastructure as a central component of a long-term, broadly shared growth. It proposes reforms to use existing infrastructure more efficiently and target infrastructure spending more effectively. Also discussed are the benefits of more efficient use of existing resources for physical infrastructure and the differences between telecommunications infrastructure and physical infrastructure.

The article provides information on the role of Universal Insurance to the economic security of the U.S. To lessen the economic disturbances in the country as well as to assist the families towards economic improvement are the objectives of the Universal Insurance. Universal Insurance seek to provide for all U.S. citizens and protect families from economic problems that may occur.

The article stresses that the U.S. can secure the benefits of trade while simultaneously expanding individual opportunity and promoting growth. It tackles how the nation could meet the growing challenges to its global economic leadership. It also enumerates the key principles that served as the basis of the economic strategy envisioned by The Hamilton Project in response to the challenges posed by globalization.

The article offers a conclusion regarding The Hamilton Project, an economic strategy to advance opportunity, prosperity and growth in the U.S. It states that the nation must be willing to make necessary investments to reap benefits. It adds that the Project will identify smart, pragmatic policy options, grounded in real-world experience and evidence by drawing on the best and most innovative ideas from leading economic thinkers to create the conditions for continued opportunity, prosperity and strong economic growth.

The article discusses the impact of the U.S. economy on the U.S. vision of prosperity and economic stability called the American Dream. It notes that the American Dream is at risk because of the erratic economic trends with emphasis on the influence of the recession on the social condition of Americans. It stresses the need for the U.S. government to prioritize the steps it needs to begin taking the service of its long-term economic needs.

The article provides an analysis on poverty among low income workers in the U.S. Several policy reforms are needed to provide opportunities for economic development. Suggestions include assisting people to enter the labor force, formulating the right long-term investments and shoring up social insurance programs. These steps accordingly enable the poorest individuals to become productive.