New York – America Forward announced last week the appointment of Children’s Aid Society President and CEO Richard Buery to the steering committee of its education coalition. As a visible advocate of the coalition, Buery will be in Washington, DC, on Monday to lobby elected officials for the immediate reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the foundation of federal education policy.
“The current Elementary and Secondary Education Act was enacted when this year’s graduating class was in second grade,” said Buery. “This outdated law is woefully inadequate to meet the challenges we face in preparing all children in America to succeed and thrive in the global economy. We need a comprehensive law that supports comprehensive strategies – such as full-service community schools – and targets resources to the children who need them the most.”
The coalition is made up of a diverse group 14 leading education innovators from across the country. These education reformers have come together to push for the reauthorization of the ESEA, outlining the need for it to include:
- Increased accountability and transparency
- Guaranteed access to effective teachers and school leaders
- Increased flexibility to allow for locally determined solutions while holding school districts, schools and their partners accountable for achieving results
- Support for entrepreneurship and catalytic investments in successful education solutions
“Never before have education organizations with such varied missions aligned behind one policy platform as it relates to national education reform to create this type of coalition,” said America Forward Executive Director Deborah Smolover. “This is an essential moment for Congressional action on this issue, and the education sector recognizes the need to advocate for that action if we are going to make a difference in the education of future generations of America’s children.”
The education coalition’s position on the ESEA is supported by the nearly 50 member organizations of the America Forward Coalition.
The Children’s Aid Society is an independent, not-for-profit organization established to serve the children of New York City. Our mission is to help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Founded in 1853, it is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving New York’s neediest children. Services are provided in community schools, neighborhood centers, health clinics and camps. For additional information, please call Anthony Ramos at (212) 949-4938 / (347) 439-7727, email anthonyr@childrensaidsociety.org or visit www.childrensaidsocietyorg .
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