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
Watch: Fixing the severed school lifeline
Michele Kayal | April 28, 2022 |
In the chaotic onset of the coronavirus pandemic, school nutrition leaders appealed to the Trump Administration to let them handle the crisis as if …
Statement for the Record: Free Speech Under Attack — Book Bans and Academic Censorship
Bruce Lesley | April 12, 2022 |
Bruce Lesley submitted this testimony for the record to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties regarding …
What’s at stake for kids if Congress doesn’t pass Build Back Better
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Conor Sasner, Elaine Dalpiaz, Haley Winter, Kathy Sacco, Michelle Dallafior, Miriam Abaya, Olivia Gomez, First Focus Campaign for Children | December 22, 2021 |
As negotiations have stalled and the fate of the Build Back Better Act hangs in the balance, children stand to lose access to monthly …
Parents Want a Forward-Looking Children’s Agenda, Not Book Bans
Bruce Lesley, First Focus Campaign for Children | December 5, 2021 |
There is no doubt that parents are frustrated, overwhelmed, and at wits’ end after nearly two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and a rough …
What’s next for the largest unvaxxed population (kids)?
Averi Pakulis, Conor Sasner, Tim Smith | August 25, 2021 |
Like many of you, we have been watching in dismay as children’s health is politicized by adults. Just as kids begin to head back …
Including Youth Voices in Our Democracy
Adrianna Zhang, Jonathan Todres | August 24, 2021 |
There is absolutely no downside to hearing from young people, unless we’re afraid of what they’ll tell us.
WATCH: The American Families Plan: What does it mean for kids? | #ChildrensWeek2021
Michele Kayal | June 14, 2021 |
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today urged viewers during the first event of Children’s Week 2021 to “be a voice for children” by writing …
The Biden Administration and Congress Must Protect Transgender Kids
Lauren Lamb (Former Staff), First Focus Campaign for Children | May 7, 2021 |
In his first address to a joint session of Congress, President Biden addressed transgender youth directly: “I want you to know your president has …
Letter: The first — and next — 100 days
Bruce Lesley | May 4, 2021 |
First Focus on Children sent the following letter to President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris congratulating them on the achievements of their …
8 ways the American Families Plan offers historic progress for children
Michele Kayal | April 28, 2021 |
The American Families Plan, released today by President Biden, may be the most important piece of legislation for children in our nation’s recent history. …