February 2021

As students, families, educators, and school communities across the country work to respond to and recover from the convergent crises of the past year, evidence-based, holistic supports are more important than ever.  On February 10, 2021, the House Committee on Education and Labor passed a budget reconciliation bill that would enact key provisions of President Joe Biden’s “American Rescue Plan.”

Below is the latest America Forward “Tip Sheet,” a weekly update on Federal activity related to education, workforce development, and other priorities of the America Forward Coalition. What’s New in Washington Last week in Washington, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate were not in session. The House Budget Committee is moving forward this week on the House Reconciliation

Below is the latest America Forward “Tip Sheet,” a weekly update on Federal activity related to education, workforce development, and other priorities of the America Forward Coalition. What’s New in Washington In Washington last week, most of the attention was focused on the Senate and the impeachment trial of former President Donald J. Trump, which ended in an acquittal for

On Wednesday, February 3, Dr. Miguel Cardona, current Connecticut Commissioner of Education and President Joe Biden’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Education, appeared before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee for his confirmation hearing.  Prior to the hearing, America Forward had expressed our support for Dr. Cardona’s nomination - sending a letter to HELP Committee Chair

Below, please find a statement from America Forward in response to the House Education and Labor Committee budget reconciliation bill, introduced by Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) yesterday: "As we said when it was first released publicly earlier this year, President Biden's 'American Rescue Plan' 'would direct substantial and much-needed resources' to America's education system.  We are deeply encouraged that the

Below is the latest America Forward “Tip Sheet,” a weekly update on Federal activity related to education, workforce development, and other priorities of the America Forward Coalition. What’s New in Washington Congress Passes Budget Resolution On Friday morning, the Senate voted 51-50, after Vice President Kamala Harris broke her first tie, to adopt a budget resolution for the federal budget.

Every month, America Forward is highlighting a few examples of the vital work being done by our Coalition members to support students, families, educators, workers, elected leaders, advocates, and communities across the country. If your organization has resources, an announcement, or a story that you would like to see included, please send it to america_forward@newprofit.org. Reading Partners In response to

America Forward supports the confirmation of Dr. Miguel Cardona as the next U.S. Secretary of Education, and encourages him to prioritize whole-learner approaches.    The nomination of Dr. Miguel Cardona to lead the U.S. Department of Education comes at a critical moment for America’s students, families, and educators. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened persistent and systemic opportunity gaps, and reinforced

Below is the latest America Forward “Tip Sheet,” a weekly update on Federal activity related to education, workforce development, and other priorities of the America Forward Coalition.   What’s Next in Washington  In Washington last week, discussions continued among lawmakers on the next steps for President Biden’s COVID-19 relief measure, the American Rescue Plan, which includes an additional $170 billion