Posts By: Harry Shipps

On Thursday, March 11, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion package in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Below, please find a statement from America Forward about the impact of the bill and what comes next. "The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 delivers urgently needed support to communities across the country, and

America Forward released the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted, 64-33, to confirm Dr. Miguel Cardona as the next U.S. Secretary of Education: We congratulate Secretary Cardona on his historic confirmation by the full Senate - the final vote was a signal of lawmakers' confidence in Secretary Cardona's ability to lead the Department of Education's efforts to safely reopen

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.”

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

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

Below, please find a statement from America Forward on the "American Rescue Plan," introduced by President-elect Joe Biden. "The 'American Rescue Plan' outlined by President-elect Joe Biden last night would direct substantial and much-needed resources to help K-12 schools reopen, increase the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, expand access to high-quality child care, buoy small businesses, provide additional federal resources to

Below, please find a statement from America Forward in response to Congress' approval of the latest round of COVID-19 relief: "The latest round of COVID-19 relief authorized by Congress represents a critical and long-overdue investment in students, workers, and community-based organizations across the country. By allocating billions in additional resources for early education, K-12, and higher education - along with

Yesterday, America Forward hosted the first in a series of conversations with policymakers and education leaders about the critical importance of whole-learner approaches to education. Moderated by America Forward Executive Director Deborah Smolover, and featuring Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Dr. Desmond K. Blackburn, CEO of America Forward Coalition member New Teacher Center, and Dr. Robert Jagers, Vice President of Research