Originally established in 1990, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics (Initiative) was re-established in 2021 through executive order by President Joe Biden, who expanded the Initiative’s scope to center on advancing educational equity and economic opportunity for Latino and Hispanic students, families, and communities. The nation’s future prosperity and global leadership across sectors is intrinsically tied to the success of Hispanic and Latino students, and their success is a priority of this Administration.
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Raise the Bar: Lead the World
On January 24, 2023, Secretary Cardona laid out his vision for the direction the U.S. Department of Education will follow in 2023 to promote academic excellence, improve learning conditions, and prepare our students for a world where global engagement is critical to our nation’s standing.
Secretary Cardona highlighted the key focus areas of “Raise the Bar: Lead the World”:
- Achieving Academic Excellence
- Accelerating learning for every student
- Deliver a comprehensive and rigorous education for every student
- Boldly Improve Learning Conditions
- Eliminate the educator shortage for every school
- Invest in every student’s mental health and well-being
- Creating Pathways for Global Engagements
- Ensure every student has a pathway to college and career
- Provide every student a pathway to multilingualism
- Read the press release announcing the “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” Initiative.
- Watch the recording of the “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” announcement.
- Learn more about the U.S. Department of Education and the White House Hispanic Initiative’s priorities.
- Read the latest news about ED’s work awarding over $35 million in grants for cradle-to-career solutions in high-needs communities, $63 million to expand community schools and social, emotional, mental health and academic support for students, educators and families.
Mujeres Advancing Pay and Gender Equity
On Thursday, December 8, at the U.S. Department of Education Auditorium, the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics held a special Latinas Equal Pay Day event featuring senior Biden-Harris Administration leaders who shared how the White House and federal agencies are driving a strategic, whole-of-government approach to advancing gender equality and gender equity, including pay equity.
View the event webpage including speakers biographies and federal resources
The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics and the Aspen Institute are hosting a series of White House Initiative Latino Economic Summit across the country with the participation of the White House, federal agencies and local leaders. These in-person community events highlight the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing equity and economic empowerment and connect local Latino community members directly with federal leaders and resources.
Learn more about the White House Initiative Latino Economic Summits and explore our previous summits
Student Loan Debt Relief Update
Subscribe and check back here for updates regarding student loan debt relief. The Department will post information as soon as further updates are available.
Conversaciones con Líderes Series
During Hispanic Heritage Month the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics joined the White House and federal agencies in celebrating Latino leaders and ways in which they’re working within, and with, the Biden-Harris Administration to build prosperous and healthy communities. We’re proud to launch our weekly Conversaciones con Líderes zoom series featuring Biden-Harris Administration officials and community leaders sharing their inspiring personal journeys and updates on federal opportunities that uplift the Latino community. Check back on the Conversaciones con Líderes webpage for updates on upcoming webinars.
U.S. Department of Education Nationwide Call for Student Performing Artists
The U.S. Department of Education is seeking student performing artists (such as bands/marching bands, choirs, color guards, dancers, drumlines, poets/spoken word artists, soloists, theatrical performers) currently enrolled in institutions of elementary, secondary, or post-secondary education or accredited trade schools, who exemplify resilience, diversity, and excellence and are interested in showcasing their talent, virtually or in-person, at internal and external Department-hosted events, as well as awards and recognition ceremonies, and professional development trainings that support the Department’s programs, priorities, and initiatives and social media campaigns. No formal training or experience is necessary.
Please utilize this link for additional information that includes Frequently Asked Questions, submission instructions, and other related guidance.
If someone requires a reasonable accommodation to complete a submission and/or answer any related questions, please direct them to email studentart@ed.gov.
National Partnership for Student Success
From Day One, President Biden and his Administration have been focused on supporting our nation’s children, taking historic action through the American Rescue Plan to help schools safely reopen and stay open, and address the impact of the pandemic on students’ learning and mental health. On July 5, the White House announced new efforts to set our students up for success, in school and in life. In addition, the Administration launched the National Partnership for Student Success, a new coalition that will support the expansion, launch and improvement of high-impact tutoring, mentoring and other programs to make up for lost instructional time, and support student mental health and overall wellbeing.
Read Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Launches National Effort to Support Student Success
Read U.S. Department of Education Press Release
Watch White House Event on Student Success
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