Book excerpt: Fact The required foundation for effective and efficient learning is well-being. Good News Children's psychological well-being is supported in K-12 schools that facilitate self-directed learning. Bad News The psychological well-being of children in mainstream K-12 schools is consistently diminished. Silver Lining This good news can transform the bad news. Why do K-12 schools that facilitate self-directed learning serve less than 5% of all students in the USA despite over 100 years of good results? The systematic growth of school models that support self-directed learning has been stunted by hidden barriers. The hidden barriers also prevent more mainstream schools from sustainably adapting their practices to become more nurturing. The barriers are based on a theory of education that is wrong. K-12 policy makers at every level can remove those barriers by making an explicit commitment to ensuring that the schools they oversee support well-being. This book includes the ""Resolution to Build on Well-Being to Achieve K-12 Equity"" which you can take to your favorite policy makers to advocate for the well-being of all students.