ERN Releases 100-Day Policy Recommendations for Biden-Harris Administration
K-12, Higher Ed Recs Emphasize Equity, Bold Ideas to Close Opportunity gaps
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 7, 2020) — Education Reform Now (ERN) released its 100 Day policy recommendations for the Biden-Harris Administration today, with equity-driven policy proposals for K-12 and higher education.
In addition to President-elect Biden’s commitment to unprecedented levels of educational funding, both sets of recommendations propose innovative policies directed toward improving outcomes for the nation’s historically underserved students.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated vast inequities within our education system—widening the already expansive opportunity gaps that exist between historically underserved students and their more privileged peers,” said ERN Vice President of K-12 Policy Charles Barone. “Unless we take bold actions that prioritize equity, such as universal access to broadband and high-quality tutoring, millions of students will be denied access to the brighter future they deserve.”
Along with the immediate need for a COVID-19 Phase IV recovery bill to provide necessary resources—including broadband internet and connected devices for every student, the K-12 recommendations include guidance on the continued administration of annual assessments, and improvements to teacher preparation and compensation, among others.
Our higher education recommendations include specific proposals on how the new administration, through executive action alone, can implement free college, student loan relief, and dual enrollment initiatives proffered by the Biden-Harris presidential campaign. Additionally, we propose steps to ensure every college and university evidences a meaningful commitment to diversity and socioeconomic mobility, as recommended by a coalition of civil rights and education groups this past summer.
“The Biden administration should work with Congress when it can, and be willing to go alone when it must, to deliver badly needed student loan relief, increased college affordability and improvements in certificate and degree attainment,” said ERN Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Higher Education Policy Michael Dannenberg. “The Obama-Biden administration expanded the federal higher education policy paradigm from a focus on access and affordability to issues of quality and completion. The Biden-Harris administration should follow suit.”
You can read the full Elementary & Secondary Recommendations here, and Higher Education Recommendations here.
About Education Reform Now
Education Reform Now (ERN) is a non-partisan, nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-16 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families. We seek forward progress in public education—at the federal, state, and local level—developing and advocating for new, bold ideas and mutually reinforcing policies in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education.
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