Uncategorized

America Forward Calls for Workforce Pell Changes that Support Practical Implementation and Advance Quality

Workforce Pell’s upcoming launch represents a landmark opportunity to expand access to high-quality, short-term job training for workers who need it most. America Forward recently submitted formal comments in response to the Workforce Pell proposed rule, urging the Department of Education to institute two critical fixes that would support practical implementation while protecting quality: Raise the partnership cap from 25%
More

America Forward Calls for Financial Literacy Investment in K-12, Postsecondary Education, and Workforce Development

America Forward recently submitted formal comments in response to the Financial Literacy and Education Commission’s (FLEC) request for input as the FLEC updates the U.S. National Strategy for Financial Literacy. Drawing on the work of America Forward Coalition members across K–12 education, postsecondary student success, and workforce development, we offered three recommendations: Prioritize federal investment in K–12 financial literacy. With
More

America Forward Coalition’s FY2027 Appropriations Recommendations

Today, America Forward submitted the America Forward Coalition’s FY2027 appropriations recommendations to House and Senate appropriations leaders. Drawing on the perspectives of the 100+ members of the America Forward Coalition, our recommendations emphasize approaches that foster innovation, reward results, and catalyze cross-sector partnerships to expand opportunity for all. Alongside a full table of program funding levels, America Forward urges congressional
More

Responding to a Rapidly-Changing Economy: Per Scholas on Agile Workforce Development Approaches

As technology reshapes nearly every sector of our economy, our nation’s public workforce development systems have struggled to keep pace. Per Scholas, one of the nation’s leading evidence-based sectoral job training providers, demonstrates how a responsive, partnership-centered approach can drive strong outcomes for learners – and how public policy could accelerate the development, refinement, and expansion of high-impact programs around
More

Due April 3, 2026: Sectoral Training Provider Applications for Blazing a Trail Initiative

Beginning this spring, and continuing through the end of 2027, America Forward is excited to partner with a pilot cohort of up to eight (8) leading high-impact sectoral training providers to shift public investment toward evidence-based programs and build providers’ capacity to navigate and participate in public funding systems. America Forward is grateful to Ascendium Education Group for their investment
More

Measuring What Matters: How Complementary Growth Indicators Can Transform K-12 Education

By Jessica Paulsen, President, Innovation & Impact, LEAP Innovations As schools nationwide work to accelerate student learning and close persistent achievement gaps, policymakers are taking a closer look at how we measure student growth — and whether current approaches give educators and families the actionable information they need. When Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
More

What It Actually Takes: Project QUEST on Workforce Development That Works

Photo: Francisco Martinez, President & CEO of Project QUEST, and Lelani Mercado, Chief Program Officer of Project QUEST with a December 2025 graduate. Across the United States, communities are searching for workforce solutions that deliver real, lasting economic mobility, not just short-term job placements. In San Antonio, Texas, one model has been proving what works for more than three decades:
More

America Forward on New DOL Pay-for-Performance Apprenticeships Initiative

America Forward applauds the U.S. Department of Labor’s announcement of a new $145 million pay-for-performance apprenticeship incentives initiative. This initiative constitutes a significant investment aimed at expanding Registered Apprenticeship nationwide and paves the way for a more outcomes-oriented, formula-based approach to financing apprenticeships. Key provisions in the recently-released application materials closely align with America Forward and Apprenticeships for America’s recommendations
More

Blazing a Trail for Evidence-Based Economic Mobility: America Forward Announces Ascendium Education Group Partnership

Washington, D.C. - America Forward is honored to announce an exciting new grant from Ascendium Education Group to support a new initiative, Blazing a Trail for Evidence-Based Economic Mobility Strategies. Over the next two years, America Forward will partner with a cohort of leading high-impact sectoral training providers to shift public investment toward evidence-based programs while building providers' capacity to
More

New Policy Briefs on the Importance of Evidence and Innovation in Workforce Development

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
More