Kevin Lindsey (Former Staff) Senior Director

Kevin Lindsey is the Senior Director, Education Policy at First Focus. In this role, he leads First Focus’ advocacy efforts on K-12 education and nutrition in an effort to ensure that every child has access to excellent public schools and adequate nutrition. He is also the co-chair of the Coalition for Teaching Quality, a coalition of over 100 civil rights, disability, education, and children’s organizations working to ensure that every child has well-prepared and effective teachers and principals. During his time at First Focus, Kevin has also worked on a number of other children's issues, including immigration, poverty, and early childhood care and education, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the holistic needs of children and how those needs relate to education policy. Prior to joining First Focus, Kevin taught English at a high school in Tongliao, China, a small city north of Beijing.

Kevin graduated magna cum laude from Providence College with a bachelor's degree in political science. While at Providence, he worked as a research assistant in the Political Science Department, as a community organizer with Clean Water Action, at Common Cause Rhode Island, and for the Rhode Island House Committee on Education. Additionally, Kevin was vice president of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society, and has experience working with refugees and as an adult ESL teacher in Providence.

Resources by Kevin Lindsey


Take action to improve education in America

| July 13, 2015 |

This week, the Senate is working to overhaul No Child Left Behind, the main federal law concerning K-12 education. First Focus Campaign for Children


Closing the Summer Nutrition and Activity Gaps

| June 16, 2015 |

June marks the end of the school year for most students in kindergarten through 12th grade and the beginning of summer break. Unfortunately, summer


Report confirms concerns: more trainee teachers in most difficult classrooms

| June 4, 2015 |

The Department of education released a report yesterday on the number and percentage of teachers labeled “highly qualified” and serving as the teacher of


Why a child poverty target is good education policy

| June 1, 2015 |

While both the House and Senate continue work on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, the primary federal education legislation), Congressman Danny Davis


Why Kids and Parents Need and Support Afterschool Programs

| March 24, 2015 |

Today, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is speaking at the National Afterschool Summit, hosted by the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, After-School All-Stars, and the Afterschool


IN-STATE for Dreamers Act Important for College Access

| March 19, 2015 |

Senators Murray (D-WA) and Hirono (D-HI) and Representatives Polis (D-CO) and Castro (D-TX) introduced today legislation to support states that invest in higher education


Important New Institute of Medicine Study on English Language Learners

| March 10, 2015 |

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies of Science is beginning a new consensus study called “Fostering School Success for English Learners:


Education in the President’s Budget

| February 18, 2015 |

On February 2, 2015, President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2016 (FY 2016) budget request, outlining his spending priorities for the coming year. By


Child Nutrition in the President’s 2016 Budget

| February 9, 2015 |

On February 2, 2015, President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2016 (FY 2016) budget request, outlining his spending priorities for the coming year. By


No Child Left Behind Reauthorization Offers Chance to Actually Leave No Child Behind

| January 12, 2015 |

No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the 2002 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, the primary federal legislation dealing with our nation’s