Sadly, it is also no surprise that education has not been central to many of these stories. This is despite the overwhelming sentiment among parents, the business community, and those of us who work in the field that education demands serious consideration as a vital concern to our cities and country — today and in the future.

Earlier this week, the Walton Family Foundation hosted a conversation at the Aspen Ideas Festival between four of the most esteemed journalists of our time — John Dickerson of CBS’s Face the Nation, Jonathan Capehart of The Washington Post, Frank Bruni of The New York Times, and Campbell Brown — discussing education in the 2016 Presidential Election.

They shared insights and made predictions:

Capehart said he thinks the candidates will tie education to income inequality and social mobility. Dickerson predicted that candidates’ support for standards and accountability would be used as a primary season “weapon,” but Bruni said support for standards would turn into an asset in the general election. Bruni further postulated that candidates do not need support from teachers unions to win the general election.

It was a fascinating discussion, but our big question is whether education will find a place on A1 as the election season heats up. Frank Bruni said this will depend on whether candidates choose to “plant a flag” on education, on who asks questions at debates, and on whether the media continue to ask the right questions.

I’d add another “if.” I think it depends on if we — as educators, community members, Americans — demand that the people who seek high offices care about the civic institution that is most vitally important to our country’s future. In that spirit, the Walton Family Foundation is proud to announce our investment in The Seventy Four, Campbell Brown’s new education news site. I think this week’s conversation was a great indication of the kind of work Brown — a seasoned journalist and thinker — and her team will be asking about #EDlection2016.