Education
The problem with education policy is that it ignores everything outside the classroom. Better schools, better teachers, and equitable funding are necessary, and we advocate strongly for these improvements. But for children living with hunger or illness, or for children who are homeless or live in fear of violence, they are not sufficient. First Focus challenges policymakers to accept what research confirms: that lowering the obstacles children face outside the classroom is essential for their success inside the classroom.
Resources
Key Stats on the Effect of COVID-19 on Kids
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Conor Sasner, Kathy Sacco, Michelle Dallafior, Miriam Abaya, Olivia Gomez | November 19, 2020 |
The COVID-19 pandemic is doing more than exposing the racial, ethnic, and economic disparities existing in our society; it is compounding them, and so …
International students add spark to our educational system. New visa rules would end that
Conor Sasner, Miriam Abaya | October 28, 2020 |
At the beginning of 2003, a little under a year and a half after September 11th, the Department of Homeland Security implemented the Student …
The myth of standardized testing becomes an attack on public education during a pandemic
Conor Sasner | October 23, 2020 |
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos wants to enforce testing standards this year as if it were just any year. Any year, that is, since the …
2020 Children’s Budget Summit: Lawmakers and educators discuss continued decline in children’s share of federal spending
Michele Kayal | September 30, 2020 |
This year has delivered an unprecedented public health emergency and an economic crisis that has disrupted every facet of the lives of children and …
Children’s Budget 2020
| September 29, 2020 |
About Children’s Budget 20202: First Focus on Children is proud to introduce the 14th annual release of its signature Children’s Budget publication. While the …
Congress Must Act Quickly to Pass Additional Relief for Struggling Children and Families
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Claire Williams, Conor Sasner, Michelle Dallafior, Olivia Gomez, First Focus Campaign for Children | August 10, 2020 |
Given recent spikes in COVID-19 caseloads, an economic crisis that continues to deepen, and an upcoming school year faced with daunting challenges, it is …
Comment on the continuation of the Household Pulse Survey
Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Christopher Towner, Olivia Gomez | July 31, 2020 |
First Focus on Children submitted the following comment to the Office of Management and Budget. Excerpt: The coronavirus pandemic has hit the United States …
Back to school, but not back to normal — what lawmakers must do
Conor Sasner | July 28, 2020 |
Every September, kids go back to school. This year, learning will happen in new and scarcely tested conditions. The coronavirus pandemic means that kids …
Fact Sheet: Aid to Children and Families in the HEROES Act (H.R. 6800)
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Drew Aherne (Former Staff), Michelle Dallafior | May 22, 2020 |
As part of ongoing efforts to address the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting economic crisis, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic …
Comment: Proposed change to National School Lunch & Breakfast Program would weaken school nutrition standards
Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari | April 22, 2020 |
First Focus on Children submitted the following comments in strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “Simplifying Meal Service and Monitoring Requirements …