The America Forward Education Coalition announced today that four nonprofit organizations, all leading innovators in areas related to youth development, have joined the campaign for immediate Congressional action on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Genesys Works, HopeLab, Public Allies & Year Up have joined the coalition united behind the principles outlined in the policy paper, “America Forward on ESEA: Competition, Flexibility, and Data-Driven Results.” This marks an expansion of the coalition beyond nonprofit organizations focused more specifically on issues related to education, to incorporating the leadership of organizations engaged in youth development, workforce development, healthcare and national service.

A coalition of 25 major nonprofit organizations, the America Forward Education Coalition has sent a letter to Congress requesting immediate reauthorization of ESEA. Citing the “economic imperative and moral obligation to ensure every student has access to an excellent education,” the Coalition expressed concern that federal inaction on the issue of education reform “is hampering education innovation and stalling proven strategies that would ensure opportunity for millions of students.”

In the letter that was sent to all Members of Congress, the America Forward Education Coalition outlined the need for the reauthorization of ESEA to include increased accountability and transparency, guaranteed access to effective teachers and school leaders, support of entrepreneurship within the education sector and catalytic investment in successful education solutions. It also advocated for increased flexibility paired with accountability and transparency standards that allow for locally determined solutions while holding school districts and schools accountable for achieving results with the local partners of their choosing.

“We are thrilled to see thought leaders in an array of areas related to youth development join our effort to unite behind a single policy platform as it relates to national education reform,” said America Forward Executive Director Deborah Smolover. “It is important for our nation’s policymakers to recognize the growing voice calling for federal action to ensure excellent education for all of our nation’s children. This is an issue that reaches beyond traditional education stakeholders and one that is central to the futures of America’s children”

The letter and policy platform is supported by the nearly 50 member organizations of the America Forward Coalition.