NEWS

Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of state and district education leaders who oversee systems that collectively serve more than 7 million students, today issued the following statement urging greater federal action on COVID-19. 

The rapid spread of COVID-19 is a national crisis—and we don’t know how much worse it will get. Millions of children are, or will soon be, out of school. Many parents and caretakers are unable to go to work; economic losses are jarring; and public health systems are facing unprecedented strain. People all across America are worried about their loved ones and what will happen next. 

As the leaders of state and district education systems, we are on the front lines. Our teams are working around the clock to protect our students, staff, and communities. In this time of great uncertainty and urgent need, the federal government must act. Congress must immediately approve, and the president must sign, bipartisan legislation that will cover expanded testing for the coronavirus; grant new funding and flexibility for school nutrition programs so we can continue providing food to the children who need it most; and allocate additional resources for other essential services required to meet the escalating demands of this pandemic.

About Chiefs for Change
Chiefs for Change is a nonprofit, bipartisan network of diverse state and district education chiefs dedicated to preparing all students for today’s world and tomorrow’s through deeply committed leadership. Chiefs for Change advocates for policies and practices that are making a difference today for students, and builds a pipeline of talented, diverse Future Chiefs ready to lead major school systems.