Today, America Forward and Results for America co-published two policy briefs emphasizing the importance of elevating evidence-based strategies and ongoing, intentional evidence-building under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Our public workforce system currently invests only a small proportion of funding in workforce development strategies proven to drive stronger economic outcomes for workers, employers, and our economy, and provides
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New Report on the Potential of Pay-for-Success Apprenticeships to Expand Participation and Enhance Quality
Today, America Forward and Apprenticeships for America published a joint report, Pay-for-Success Apprenticeships Pilots: A Framework for Outcomes-Focused Expansion. This policy research report leverages on-the-ground insights from leading workforce development providers and intermediaries across the country to build the case for pay-for-success (PFS) apprenticeship models supported by public funding and to provide key design insights for policymakers. Embracing pay-for-success approaches
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America Forward Recommendations on FY2026 Appropriations
Last week, America Forward sent recommendations to House and Senate appropriations leaders to inform bicameral, bipartisan negotiations as Congress continues the fiscal year 2026 (FY2026) appropriations progress. Our recommendations emphasize the programs and policies to which the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have proposed distinct approaches to date. America Forward urged congressional leaders to adopt these priorities as they reconcile
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New U.S. Department of Labor Guidance on Maximizing Innovation
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration recently published a significant guidance letter, Maximizing Innovation in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Programs. The letter invites state waiver requests under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and highlights numerous existing flexibilities as a means “to maximize innovation in the public workforce system and better serve job seekers and
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Workforce Innovation in Action: Three Key Lessons Policymakers Can Learn from Employment Social Enterprises
Across the United States, more than 1,000 organizations are implementing a groundbreaking workforce development model: the employment social enterprise (ESE). ESEs are businesses built to do good: they offer jobs, training, and support to people who are getting back on their feet after experiences like incarceration or homelessness. A growing, rigorous evidence base demonstrates that ESEs can make an impressive
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Supporting Effective Postsecondary Navigation: America Forward Recommendations
Students need accurate, responsive, and timely support to identify and assess the overwhelming array of choices they face in their postsecondary journeys, ranging from comparing student loans and grants, to applying to programs and institutions, to ultimately navigating to and through college and achieving a high-quality first post-college job. Last week, America Forward submitted comments to the Senate Health, Education,
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Rebuilding the Institute of Education Sciences: America Forward Recommendations
The federal Institute of Education Sciences (IES), housed under the U.S. Department of Education, has played a critical role in advancing high-quality education research and data for more than twenty years. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration laid off nearly all IES staff and canceled numerous research contracts. Subsequently, the Department of Education published a formal request for information on
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New Report Details the Non-Profit Funding Gap, Strategies to Increase Student Success
This week, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) and America Forward released a report analyzing the landscape of non-profit student success programs and the integral role they play in supporting students to and through education after high school – and increasingly, into careers. Drawing on a national survey of NCAN and America Forward Coalition member organizations, the report is a
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America Forward Coalition Members Step Up — December 2024
Every month, America Forward highlights examples of the vital work our Coalition members do to support students, families, educators, workers, elected leaders, advocates, and communities across the country. If your organization has resources, an announcement, or a story you would like to see included, please send it to america_forward@newprofit.org. Eskolta Eskolta School Research and Design works with public school educators
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America Forward Releases 2024 Transition Memos
On December 19, 2024, America Forward published six transition memos addressed to the incoming Administration highlighting ripe opportunities for the Trump-Vance Administration to advance educational attainment and economic mobility. Many of our recommendations, such as those around FAFSA and skills-based hiring, are ready for action in the first 100 days of the new Administration. Our recommendations draw upon the deep
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