Leaders Gather For UA Conference On Education Reform – Hoover Institution

Conference on Education Reform Highlights Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Event Overview

A policy conference marking the 20th anniversary of the Department of Education Reform featured a keynote address by Hoover Institution fellow Eric Hanushek. The event, titled “Education Reform Then and Now: A Policy Conference,” was held on October 27, 2025.

• Speaker: Eric Hanushek, Hoover Institution Fellow
• Event: “Education Reform Then and Now: A Policy Conference”
• Occasion: 20th Anniversary of the Department of Education Reform

Primary Focus: SDG 4 (Quality Education)

The conference’s theme of education reform directly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Key areas of alignment include:

1. Achieving Universal Access: Policy discussions on reform are fundamental to achieving Target 4.1, which calls for ensuring all children complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education.
2. Developing Relevant Skills: Education reform addresses the need to equip youth and adults with skills for employment and decent work, in line with Target 4.4.
3. Enhancing Teacher Quality: The conference’s focus on policy is crucial for advancing Target 4.c, which seeks to substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers through improved training and support.

Broader Impact on Global Sustainability Agenda

The outcomes of education reform, as discussed at the conference, have a cascading effect on numerous other Sustainable Development Goals. Advancements in quality education are integral to the broader 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): Education is a primary pathway out of poverty, providing individuals with the tools for economic self-sufficiency.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): A skilled and educated populace is the cornerstone of sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Equitable access to quality education is one of the most effective means of reducing socio-economic inequalities.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 4: Quality Education

• The article’s entire focus is on an event titled “Education Reform Then and Now: A Policy Conference.” The subject of “Education Reform” directly corresponds to the core mission of SDG 4, which is to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” The conference itself signifies a discussion on policies aimed at improving educational systems.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 4: Quality Education

• Target 4.1: “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.”
  • Justification: The term “Education Reform” inherently implies an effort to improve the quality and effectiveness of the education system. A policy conference on this subject would naturally address how to achieve better and more relevant learning outcomes for students, which is the central point of Target 4.1.
• Target 4.c: “By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least developed countries and small island developing States.”
  • Justification: A comprehensive discussion on “Education Reform” is incomplete without addressing the role and quality of educators. Improving teacher qualification and supply is a fundamental component of systemic educational improvement, making Target 4.c a relevant aspect of the conference’s theme.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

• The provided article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
• Explanation: The text is a very brief announcement about a person speaking at a conference. It is purely informational and lacks any data, statistics, analysis, or discussion of specific metrics such as student proficiency levels, completion rates, or teacher-to-student ratios. Therefore, no measurable indicators can be extracted from the content.

4. Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hoover.org