Add to this landscape powerful education reform initiatives such as overhauled teacher evaluation systems, new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and an increased focus on social and emotional learning.

FORBES: To Transform the U.S. Education System, Focus on Teacher Effectiveness

In an unusual development for a local school board campaign, the race had captured some national attention as it pitted a reform slate favoring policies such as revamping teacher evaluation, tenure and dismissal rules, against candidates backed by labor unions.

WSJ: Incumbents win 2 slots in Los Angeles school race

The most important of these concerned putting in place legislation and mechanisms for wide national participation in educational reform, starting with in-depth diagnosis and evaluation of the education system.

UNESCO: EDUCATION