Biden Administration Plans for Education

Market Analysis Update: 03/31/2021

The most recent stimulus plan, the American Rescue Plan, puts relatively aggressive hopes in gear for the reopening of schools across the United States. The plan offers $130 billion for schools to implement the outlined safe reopening measures. The Plan also works to point out academic and social emotional learning (SEL) goals for students.

• The US Dept. of Education also hosted a National Safe School Reopening Summit on March 24, 2021 in which Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona expects 100% of schools to reopen by the fall semester.

The US Department of Education has made strides in protecting student loan borrowers from accruing more interest. The Department granted greater flexibilities to borrowers through the expansion of the "pause" in student loan interest. 

NPR also reported "The U.S. Department of Education says it will erase the federal student loan debts of tens of thousands of borrowers who can no longer work because they have significant disabilities." This action provides a greater amount of loan forgiveness to students and brings specific focus to vulnerable populations, such as students with disabilities.

Market Analysis Update: 02/26/2021

Miguel Cardona faces and impending voting process to be officially confirmed as the next US Secretary of Education. Cardona's confirmation hearing took place on February 3, 2021 which concluded in the favorable vote of 17-5. The nominee is awaiting approval and more information can be found in the US Senate Executive Calendar. Following an procedural in-house vote resulting in a n a 66 to 32 vote, the Senate passed a motion to invoke cloture. Reports have stated the Senate will move to confirm Dr. Cardona on Monday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m. 

The Biden Administration is also working on the 'American Rescue Plan' with potential for more than $100 billion to flow through to schools. In terms of reopening schools the Administration also scaled back a previously announced plan to open all schools within Biden's first 100 days. The new goal, announced earlier this week, plans to open more than half of K-8 schools for at least one day a week of classroom instruction. Several major cities such as New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco are pushing back on reopening plans and citing the city or district's ability to do so safely. As the CDC reported last month, and Cardona echoed in his hearing, that schools can safely reopen without all teachers receiving vaccinations. This allows the burden to be taken off local cities, counties and districts as they prepare to reopen schools. A more clear path to reopening schools will be needed to help with broadband accessibility and remote learning tools in high demand. 

Status of major education points: 

• Assessments: will likely be required in some form for the Spring 2021 school year. Schools and policymakers are citing the widening achievement gap impacted by coronavirus closures and a good benchmark system as for why assessments will not be waived this year. 
• Data Collection: there is good likelihood that there will be a surge in monitoring data to address learning gaps and prepare for future education measures.
• Increasing support for English Learners: an area strongly supported by Cardona.
• Community College Funding: there is support for more diversification among funding to allow Community Colleges to receive more attention to hopefully help with enrollment declines and cheaper education options.

Market Analysis Update: week of 01/25/2021

Biden's Secretary of Education nominee, Miguel Cardona, if confirmed will take on the task of reopening schools in the presidency's first 100 days. In an interview with NPR, Cardona discussed the need for focused communication and coordination with local health officials. Cardona also reinforced that the power structure of the education department is not intended to be a top-down approach but rather one of guidance for best practices.

Cardona has also weighed in on student loan forgiveness and identifying student achievement gaps, especially the learning loss incited by the pandemic. There's seems to be constant talk of reopening schools and finding ways to adjust to the economic hardship faced by students but not a lot of direction on higher education initiatives. As enrollment declines spread across most institutions, higher education is faced with the important need to engage with students in unique ways and focus on career development.

Market Analysis Update: 12/28/2020 

It is difficult to reflect on education initiatives without looking at the current state of education agencies in the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic. President-elect Joe Biden has promised to appoint an education secretary with public teaching experience, however this market may need more than experience. Biden is currently listening to calls for greater federal spending on education but elements of uncertainty hang in the balance.

Education will need to respond to increased COVID testing sites, demand for greater remote learning tools, and the heavily debated administration of statewide assessments. Appointing an education secretary with a public teaching background may lead to endeavors surrounding curriculum and accessibility; however, it leaves factors of technology implementation and COVID support logistics as lingering questions.

Educators are learning that administering laptops and hot spots will hopefully get students connected to learning environments, but the collaboration and administration of learning is suffering. Some areas of conversation on the future of education are:

• Policy issues
• Student supports
• Statewide assessment delivery
• Community involvement of K-12 schools

Overall, the next education secretary will need to be able to address all levels of students and educators, from K-12 to Community Colleges, to Higher Education, and beyond. One element that has not seen much traction in Biden’s initiatives, but will play a key role in the progress of education, is innovation from the business world. In order to combat the pandemic and address the growing achievement gaps, innovation is necessary in teaching, communication, and technology. The education world will need to continue to adapt to a changing environment but must be better equipped with the right tools to be successful.

Market Analysis Update: week of 12/21/2020 

Biden has announced the planned nomination for Secretary of the US Department of Education as Miguel Cardona, Connecticut’s current education commissioner. Biden delivered on his promise of nominating an individual with public teaching experience and more information will unfold in the coming weeks. As the Federal Government approved its latest stimulus that lacks funding at the state and local level it will be more important rolling into 2021 for states and local districts to have efficient spending. 

Biden cited addressing inequities in funding and the growing learning gaps as major focus points for the Secretary position. As the Education community of states, local education agencies, charter schools, higher ed institutions, and community college navigate a pandemic and remote learning, the initiatives will need to unite education under an environment associating collaboration with virus transmission. Cardona has cited his 'bilingual and bicultural' background as a unique experience to understand the needs in education and way to address the inequalities. Cardona has also pushed schools to reopen in Connecticut, which indicates that reopening schools will be at the forefront of policies and initiatives in the Biden Administration. This also aligns with Biden's goal of reopening schools in the first 100 days of his presidency. 

Biden's proposals so far:

• increased funding for Title I
• reversal of current Secretary Betsey DeVos' initiatives and restoring Obama-era rules
• free preschool
• policies aimed at teacher diversification

More information will be available as Biden's inauguration approaches and the transition begins to take its course.