We want to make sure our organizing unions are on board and are accountable for results. We have to firm up the structure and the financing. We want to concentrate our resources on organizing.
AFL-CIO Convention delegates, including five representing AFSA, elected Liz Shuler to serve as president of the federation of 57 unions and 12.5 million members.
On Jan. 27, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona delivered a speech outlining his priorities and vision for American education. Throughout his remarks, Cardona spoke about using the current moment as an opportunity to improve the American education system and address inequities from pre-K to adult education. He argued for the need to “level up” the entire education system, and called upon everyone to work toward making education the “great equalizer” so that opportunity and achievement gaps can be closed.
The Department of Education makes clear that its overriding guidance to school districts is to use American Rescue Plan funds to make educational systems better for students, educators, staff, schools and their communities post-pandemic.