Social Mobility Leadership Network

About the
SMLN

The Social Mobility Leadership Network (SMLN), facilitated by the Aspen Institute Education & Society Program and College Board, brings together superintendents and senior district leaders from across the country who are working to expand access to high-quality advanced coursework (HQAC), including Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.

The cohort includes school districts serving rural, urban, suburban, and tribal communities nationwide, all working toward a new North Star for education, one where advanced coursework is available to every student. Much of this work centers on what the network calls the “0 to 1” movement: making sure those who have historically been excluded from advanced coursework complete at least one high-quality advanced course before graduating high school. Districts are also focused on reaching the “missing middle,” students who show real potential for advanced coursework but have never been identified, invited, or supported to enroll.

Over the next three years, district leaders will take part in biannual convenings, virtual learning sessions, and Learning Lab site visits. They’ll work alongside peers from other districts to build the policies and practices that make equitable access to advanced coursework part of how their systems run day to day.