IEL Post-Election Message 2024

November 6, 2024

Dear IEL Community:

Now that the 2024 Presidential Election has come to a close, we look toward the future and will continue to pursue excellence in educational opportunity and equity in the new Trump Administration. We anticipate the following policy priorities over the next four years:

• Shifting oversight of the nation’s education system from federal to state education agencies.
• Prioritizing parents’ rights, including selecting their child’s school through Universal School Choice and giving parents more oversight in their child’s school administration and curriculum.
• Focusing on fundamental skills, civics education, and project-based learning to prepare students for job training and careers.
• Ensuring students attend safe, drug-free schools in which students can continue to express their First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion.

President-Elect Trump’s vision for education is to decrease the role of the federal government and allow states and local municipalities to exercise more authority over schools. This most likely means that funds will be directly distributed to state education agencies and further expand school choice.

At IEL, education is at the heart of our shared future.

As we enter this new chapter, IEL remains committed to ensuring that every child and their family in our country has access to a quality education. Education is the foundation that empowers individuals to reach their full potential, fosters innovation, and enables our nation to remain competitive in an ever-changing global landscape.

We believe in “love in action,” and therefore, over the next two years of the 119^th Congress and for the duration of the next Administration, IEL will continue to advocate for children, families, and communities in an effort to develop systems and strategies in which all students have access to a quality, equitable education.

We will prioritize the following key areas in education:

1. Equitable Access to Quality Education: Every student, regardless of their background, deserves a fair opportunity to learn. We will address disparities in resources, infrastructure, and support services to ensure all children and youth thrive, particularly in underserved communities.
2. Investment in Teachers and Educators: We will work to provide educators, paraprofessionals, staff, and community leaders with the tools, training, and compensation they need to continue inspiring future generations and fostering environments where every student can succeed.
3. Career Pathways and Workforce Development: We are committed to making postsecondary pathways more accessible, including apprenticeships and career and technical education.
4. Elevating Youth Voice: Young people should have a seat at the table where important decisions are made, whether in schools, government, or their community. We will prioritize initiatives that provide youth with authentic opportunities to be leaders and to advocate for themselves and others in advancing change both inside and outside the classroom.

To advance these priorities, IEL will:

1. Co-design IEL’s 119^th Congress Policy by the People Agenda with members of our network: This policy agenda will reflect the experiences and ideas of the hundreds of leaders we work with across our networks, including you, to tackle the most significant systemic barriers to equity in education. To provide your thoughts on what should be a part of IEL’s 119^th Congress Policy Agenda, complete our survey.
2. Advocate on Capitol Hill: IEL staff and volunteers will advocate for programs and legislation that create conditions in which community members have access to equitable, foundational supports that will enable them to live, work, and succeed knowing their basic needs are met.
3. Partner with National Organizations and Federal Agencies: We will continue to foster relationships and dynamic partnerships with national partners dedicated to whole-child development, the Full-Service Community School strategy, family and community engagement, and youth development.
4. Support IEL’s Network: Achieving our mission and vision is not possible without the enormous contributions of our network members. We will continue to facilitate our diverse set of networks and Coalitions to together foster and accelerate positive change across the country.

If you want to get involved, you can do the following:

• Subscribe to our free monthly policy updates, which will provide you with education news and updates from Washington, D.C., connect you with capacity building and professional development opportunities on the most pressing policy topics, and share resources and policy analyses from thought leaders in the field.
• Join a network to stay engaged and collaborate with role-alike practitioners, families, youth, and researchers from across the country.
• Attend one of our free quarterly policy webinars, including the next one in our Everyone: An Advocate series on December 11^th at 2:00 pm on Education Policy in the New Congress. You can register for this webinar here.
• Participate in the Policy by the People Modules, offered in both on-demand and synchronous versions, which afford anyone who wants to expand their policy advocacy capacity on the local, state, or federal level.
• Attend one of our convenings, such as the 61^st Annual Washington Policy Seminar^TM and the National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference. For the first time in IEL history, WPS will be open to anyone in IEL’s network who wants to learn more about education policy and national trends—we hope to see you there!

This election has underscored the importance of listening to diverse perspectives. IEL is dedicated to working collaboratively with educators, families, young people, community members, and policymakers to build an education system that serves everyone. Together, we will create a brighter future for our children and our nation. Thank you for your continued support and trust as we embark on this important journey.

Sincerely,

Eddie Koen

President, IEL