Secretary Miguel Cardona, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and More to Address 2021 NASSP Virtual Advocacy Conference

The 2021 NASSP Virtual Advocacy Conference is less than a week away, and there’s still space available for interested school leaders, educators, and all supporters of schools and students. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), who serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor, were recently added to the conference lineup and promise to provide unique insights about the future of American education policy in 2021 and beyond.

Secretary Cardona will provide the event’s keynote address, followed by an intimate one-on-one conversation with NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe, where Cardona will take pre-submitted questions from conference attendees. Rep. Sherrill is joining the conference as part of the “State of American Education” session that will feature other nationally recognized education policy experts.

In addition to hearing from leading policy voices, conference attendees will have the chance to network with and learn from hundreds of school leaders who regularly participate in grassroots advocacy work in their states. If you have considered getting involved with influencing lawmakers on behalf of your school, or if you are already an advocate and would like to share and connect with your colleagues around the country, this is the event for you. Don’t miss out!

THIS MONTH’S TOP ADVOCACY ISSUES

Biden Outlines Infrastructure Proposal With $102.8B for School Facilities

With the American Rescue Plan passed, the White House has turned its sights on the next large national legislative priority: infrastructure. While there’s been professed support from both sides of the aisle for a new federal investment in the nation’s infrastructure for some time, differences in the size, scope, and focus of a bill have stymied Washington for years. But with Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate, plus the ability to potentially move a package through the budget reconciliation process—requiring only a simple majority of 51 votes in the Senate—President Joe Biden and his team are hopeful that they can succeed where others have failed.

The massive $2.5 trillion American Jobs Plan proposal was released late last month, which included $100 billion in direct grant and bond funding for school construction and improvement. Other areas of Biden’s plan would provide for more direct and indirect investments in schools, like $45 billion for improving safe drinking water that would include school buildings and $100 billion for national broadband improvements—which would undoubtedly help further close the homework gap and connect students who lack adequate home internet access.

NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe voiced support for the American Jobs Plan, which has provided an important roadmap to Congress. From here, it will be up to representatives and senators to negotiate a deal that can pass and move a final bill to the president’s desk. Principals and educators can help ensure that adequate support for schools is maintained in any infrastructure they consider by sending a message with NASSP here.

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