Media Advisory
October 17, 2023
Education policy contact: Melinda George, Chief Policy Officer, Learning Forward Melinda.george@learningforward.org
Media: Gail Paul, gail.paul@learningforward.org
(513) 379-8153
Federal Education Funding Briefing Moderated By Learning Forward Policy Chief
School principal panel urging full funding for key programs that improve student academic achievement, support educator effectiveness, enhance educator retention, and more
October 18, 2023
10:30 A.M.
Capitol Visitors Center, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. – The impact of the proposed House Republican budget for education is the focus of a congressional policy briefing co-hosted by the three leading national principals’ associations and moderated by Learning Forward Chief Policy Officer Melinda George, during National Principals Month on Wednesday, October 18, at 10:30 a.m., in room SVC 203–02 of the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, Washington, D.C.
The school leaders will discuss the importance of professional learning and the crisis developing with the potential elimination of Title II, Part A, of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA). Additionally, they will go in-depth on the benefits of other federal programs and funding, notably Title I and Title IV of ESSA.
Funding for these impactful programs is in jeopardy for fiscal year 2024, as the House Appropriations Committee has proposed deep cuts or, in the case of Title II-A, full elimination. The House’s proposed 80% cut to Title I funding for schools with low-income students and proposed full elimination of the Title II-A program which provides essential funding for preparing, training, and recruiting high-quality principals and other school leaders, as well as teachers, is cause for grave concern.
Learning Forward’s George said the panel’s school leaders are prepared to underscore what the repercussions of eviscerating school funding would look like for the nation’s students and educators if the education budget cuts are allowed to happen.
“It is unacceptable to let the crises in education worsen when we have proven programs that support educator effectiveness and student academic achievement and well-being,” George said. “I am honored to join these exemplary school leaders and former leaders in such a timely and critical discussion, along with U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro and Ruth Ryder of the U.S. Department of Education, two staunch allies of public schools and the 53 million students who attend them.”
The event is hosted by National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP); and American Federation of School Administrators.
National Principals Month is a widely recognized celebration of the principalship, marked by national and state resolutions supporting the event, as well as acknowledgements from U.S. Senators and Representatives, and top government officials.
Panelists:
Liza Caraballo-Suarez, NAESP President and Principal, PS 120 The Magnet School of Architecture, Engineering, and Design, Brooklyn, NY
Carey Cunningham, President of the Administrators Association of the St. Louis Public Schools, AFSA Local 44, and Former Principal
Felicia Thomas-Williams, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) State Coordinator and Principal, West Middle School, Brentwood, NY
Melinda George, Chief Policy Officer, Learning Forward (moderator)
U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (Connecticut – district 3) and U.S. Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary Ruth Ryder will be joining the school principals for remarks.
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Learning Forward is an independent, nonprofit, international membership association of learning educators committed to one vision in K-12 education: Every educator engages in exemplary professional learning, so every student excels. To realize that vision, Learning Forward pursues its mission to set the standard for professional learning and build the capacity of educators to equitably serve all students. Information about the organization, its Standards for Professional Learning, its membership, services, and products are all available from www.learningforward.org. Find more advocacy for Title II-A funding here www.poweredbytitleii.com.
