Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy began as a traditional school of education but was transformed into a school with an expanded mission, innovative programs and far-reaching impact. Although originally focused primarily on school-based learning and teacher training, as the landscape for education changed, our School took on new education problems such as how to develop all children into lifelong learners; how new technologies can foster learning; and how to improve the life chances of children in poverty and develop families, communities and workplaces into learning communities.