Letters to Policymakers

Knowledge Alliance regularly communicates with members of Congress and to the Administration about issues impacting education research, evidence-based policy and related funding. We also join with other education and advocacy organizations to amplify our collective messages to Congress and the Administration. See below to read the latest letters to policymakers from Knowledge Alliance.

October 23, 2024: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter supporting Adam Gamoran as President Biden’s nominee for the next Director of IES. The letter also encouraged the Senate to act swiftly to confirm Gamoran for the position. Download

October 4, 2024: Knowledge Alliance submitted comments in response to ED’s request for comments on their updated school improvement guidance.  In the letter, KA expressed appreciation for the draft guidance’s strong focus on evidence, particularly the dedicated sub-section on evidence-based interventions within the broader section on support and improvement plans and then provided specific comments on areas such as support and improvement plans, partner engagement requirements and helping SEAs select evidence-based interventions. Download

August 26, 2024: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter lead by the Data Quality Campaign (DQC) outlining recommendations for a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization. The recommendations include streamlining data access and reporting in the bill, promoting data transparency and interoperability across the workforce development system, improving wage record access and authorizing the Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI). Download

July 26, 2024: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter with over 50 other organizations supporting the introduction of the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act in the Senate. The NEED Act would establish a National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE) at IES and update and expand the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) program. Download

June 24, 2024: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter led by the Alliance for Learning Innovation (ALI) outlining recommendations for a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization. The recommendations seek to ensure Federal workforce development efforts support a workforce data ecosystem, prioritize evidence-based strategies, and advance innovations in better aligning education and workforce development, particularly at the K-12 level. Download.

June 3, 2024: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter led by the Committee for Education Funding to Congressional leaders opposing the arbitrary and low cap on NDD funding for fiscal year (FY) 2025. The letter explains that cutting funding from the FY 2024 levels will do little to reduce the national debt and Federal deficit but will greatly jeopardize American competitiveness, security, economic strength, and services on which families and individuals rely. Download

May 21, 2024: Knowledge Alliance led a sign on letter urging the U.S. Department of Education (ED) take action to update and improve ED’s Grants and Contracts Forecasts. The letter explains that the Grants & Contracts Forecasts currently lack essential information regarding upcoming competitions, making it challenging for interested parties to plan effectively. This is an issue of major importance to organizations whose focus is educational equity and greater opportunities for all Americans, including children, youth, and adults who are members of historically underserved populations, such as students living in poverty, English learners, children and adults with disabilities, and students of color. Download

May 2, 2024: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter led by the Alliance for Learning Innovation (ALI). The letter includes appropriations requests for fiscal year 2025 for programs including IES, Accelerate, Transform and Scale (ATS), EIR, Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) and the STEM Edu Directorate at NSF. Download

April 23, 2024: Knowledge Alliance signed on to a letter led by CEF urging appropriators to build on the previous fiscal year (FY) investment of $226.8 billion by increasing the FY 2025 allocation for the Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee to a level that ensures robust and sustained investments so that these programs can meet vital needs. The letter details the need for sustained annual increases across the Labor-HHS-Education programs to address long-standing needs. Download

April 5, 2024: Knowledge Alliance responded to a call for responses to Sen. Cassidy’s report on literacy. In KA’s response we highlighted the ways that KA members provide support to help stakeholders use evidence to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, and improve quality of instruction including as it relates to literacy and the science of reading. Download

April 3, 2024: Knowledge Alliance wrote a one pager in response to the FY25 President’s budget request which includes a proposal to rescind $15 million in FY 2024 funding for the Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs). The one pager outlines why rescinding REL funding will result in a dollar less in services provided to States, school districts, and schools. Download

March 26, 2024: Knowledge Alliance resent, with additional signers, an updated version of the sign on letter urging the Administration to continue planning for the transition to a new Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The letter emphasized the importance of  filling the vacancy promptly to ensure IES's continuous leadership in federal research, evidence, evaluation, and technical assistance for improving teaching and learning nationwide. Download

March 25, 2024: KA signed on to a letter led by FIES urging appropriators provide at least $900 million for IES in FY 2025. The letter explains that this funding would enable IES to build on ongoing research and development activities to improve educational outcomes, bolster education research and data infrastructure, and develop actionable resources drawing upon IES-funded research. Download

March 20, 2024: KA signed on to a letter in support for the Better Jobs Through Evidence and Innovation Act. The Better Jobs Through Evidence and Innovation Act that creates a Workforce Development Innovation Fund and provides three tiers of funding to support the development, evaluation, and scale-up of evidence-based employment and training programs that generate demonstrated, long-term economic improvements for job seekers and employers. Download

March 15, 2024: Knowledge Alliance created a one pager on the FY25 President’s budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2025 which includes a proposal to rescind $15 million in FY 2024 funding for the Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs). The one pager explains that, as with the other programs administered by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), funding for the RELs is appropriated by Congress on a two-year basis. In some years the amount of “carryover” from the first year to the second will be higher or lower than in other years. Rescinding funds will ultimately mean a decrease in funding for the RELs and reduce their operations. Download

March 11, 2024: KA signed on to a letter led by DQC that responds to the Federal Trade Commission's proposed revisions to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule). The letter encourages the FTC to codify the school authorization exception, update the rule’s definitions consistent with this authorization, require written agreements, and the other vitally important policy changes. Download

February 22, 2024: Knowledge Alliance provided comments on the U.S. Department of Education's proposal to revise the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR). While KA supports the Department's efforts to update EDGAR to align with current legislative provisions and operational practices, and to enhance focus on evaluation and grant selection criteria, there are concerns with some of the proposed revisions. The letter further explains said concerns and urges the Department to address them. Download

February 22, 2024: Knowledge Alliance provided comments on the Notice of Proposed Priorities, Requirements, Definitions, and Selection Criteria for the Comprehensive Centers (CC) Program. The letter highlighted the key elements that KA believes should be incorporated into the CC program, including delivering high-quality technical assistance, promoting cooperation and sharing of expertise across centers, avoiding duplication of effort, supporting innovative ideas, and ensuring that services are locally driven and address specific local needs. KA also expressed support for several aspects of the NPP, such as focusing on schools serving students with the greatest need and requiring stakeholder engagement. The letter also included clarifying questions for the Department of Education regarding funding distribution methodology, FTE requirements, evaluation and performance management plans, performance measures, and organization of proposal guidance. Download

February 21, 2024: Knowledge Alliance sent recommendations on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to Senate HELP committee staffers. KA’s WIOA recommendations focus on further ensuring the widespread use of evidence-based practices within WIOA. These recommendations also include adding definitions of evidence-based and scientifically-valid into the law and authorizing a workforce development innovation fund that would award grants to create, implement, replicate, or take to scale entrepreneurial, evidence-based, field-initiated innovations for improving the design and delivery of employment and training services. Download

February 5, 2024: KA signed on to a letter led by FIES requesting that, as Congress finalizes the FY24 funding bills, the final legislation package include the highest possible amount for IES and does not cut funding for IES programs. The letter outlines the strong need for evidence-based tools supported by IES to accelerate and transform learning. Download

December 11, 2023: In response to the House Education and Workforce Committee’s draft of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act (WIOA), KA signed on to a DQC led letter on the importance of adapting education and workforce programs to the changing economy and workforce needs, emphasizing the benefits of effective strategies like reduced debt, improved skill alignment, higher wages, and lifelong learning opportunities. The letter highlighted the bipartisan approach to reauthorizing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, with special focus paid to workforce data. Download

December 7, 2023: In response to the Senate HELP Committee’s draft of the Advancing Research in Education Act (AREA), KA and DQC led a sign on letter on the definition of the term “evidence-based” in AREA. In the letter, KA and the 24 other organizations who signed on, recommended adopting the ESEA definition of evidence, incorporating levels such as supported by strong evidence, moderate evidence, promising evidence, or evidence that demonstrates a rationale. This adjustment also provides for a consistent definition of “evidence” across ED programs and statutes. Download 

December 6, 2023: Knowledge Alliance provided recommendations the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s recently released draft of the reauthorization of the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA), the Advancing Research in Education Act (AREA). Download

November 13, 2023: Knowledge Alliance provided comments on the National Center for Education Research (NCER) request for information regarding its efforts to fund quick turnaround high-reward, scalable solutions through the Seedlings to Scale (S2S) program. KA believes that IES should ensure investments for this program are targeted at the development of high-quality, scalable research that centers investments on the needs and outcomes of all learners. The letter covers what successful performers in this program would do, what topics should be considered focus areas, and details relevant to the design of the program. KA members also provided field examples to better assist IES in their creation of the S2S program. Download

September 27, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed on to a letter, led by ALI, in support of the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act. The letter explains how the bill will strengthen education R&D to dramatically improve outcomes and experiences for teachers and learners. KA and the other signees believe the future of education will require innovations and evidence-based practices that can only be unlocked by investing in research and development to help prepare all students for a globally competitive world. Download

August 11, 2023: Knowledge Alliance offered recommendations to the President Biden on qualities and attributes to consider when appointing the next Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Director. In the letter, KA outlines qualities that we believe should be considered in order to secure the strongest candidate possible. The qualities include someone with an understanding of government, a commitment to education research, development and dissemination, strong leadership skills, and an inclusive mentality. Download

August 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed on to the Center for Education Funding (CEF) Coalition’s letter that was sent to Congress that expressed the importance of avoiding a government shutdown. The letter encouraged Congress to pass a clean, bipartisan, bicameral continuing resolution (CR) including emergency funding that supports current services and addresses urgent needs and is free of policy riders that are harmful and irrelevant to the functions of government. Such a CR will ensure that Federal programs continue to serve essential needs while Congress works in good faith to finish FY24 funding legislation needed to provide for a robust, stable economy and a secure nation by sufficiently supporting the vital services that help our communities thrive. Download

July 27, 2023: Knowledge Alliance provided comments on the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) request for information regarding the development of a roadmap for its newly established Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP) Directorate. KA believes that each TIP focus area should include an education sub-priority (or separate priority that undergirds all of the topic areas) that addresses K-12, postsecondary, and workforce education. KA also urged that NSF amplify and leverage their existing investments in education research and development (R&D) and leverage the experience of the Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) and Comprehensive Centers (CCs). Lastly, KA encouraged TIP to cast a wide net when considering partners for this work. Download

July 25, 2023: Knowledge Alliance led a sign on letter urging the Administration to plan for the transition to a new Director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). The letter emphasized the importance of filling the vacancy promptly to ensure IES's continuous leadership in federal research, evidence, evaluation, and technical assistance for improving teaching and learning nationwide. Download

July 19, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a Data Quality Campaign (DQC) letter that commented on the shift to a biennial collection of the Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) Survey administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The letter offered suggestions on reducing the burden on States through Logically Paced Intervals and recommendations on how doing so would make it easier for NCES to produce reports faster. Download

May 1, 2023: Knowledge Alliance provided comments on ED’s request for information (RFI) soliciting comments from the field on successful approaches to innovative assessment that can encourage State educational agencies (SEAs) to pursue the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) and improve statewide assessments. KA encouraged ED to continue to support innovation in assessment while ensuring that, in this process, comparability remains a core tenet and assessments remain a critical vehicle for ensuring that the educational system is addressing and meeting the needs of all students. Download

April 21, 2023: Knowledge Alliance evaluated comments submitted regarding the original proposal for change to the SLFS. KA strongly encouraged OMB and ED to convene a diverse group of stakeholders to review how proposed changes to SLFS would impact SEAs, LEAs, ESEA finance data and current ED-funded work. This request is founded in KA membership’s desire to protect existing efforts and continue the ongoing work on financial equity while, as necessary, moving forward with the SLFS changes. Download

April 19, 2023: Knowledge Alliance offered recommendation on the reauthorization of the Education Sciences and Reform Act (ESRA) in response to the Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions’ (HELP) request for input. The letter included KA’s vision for reauthorization which is grounded in modernizing all aspects of education research, evaluation, statistics, and technical assistance. KA’s recommendations highlighted our priority programs such as the Regional Educational Labs (RELs) and Comprehensive Centers (CCs) and addressed how to strengthen the continuum of activities that are critical to advancing our understanding of how to improve educational outcomes for students.. Download

April 4, 2023: Knowledge Alliance provided comments on the Federal Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards (the Working Group) which revises OMB’s 1997 Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity (SPD 15). The letter urges members of the working group to consider redefining the scope of data collection and balancing representation with meaningful, accurate and useful data collection. While Knowledge Alliance is opposed to the proposal to change from collecting race and ethnicity data through a two-question format to collecting those data through a one-question format, we support the use of the expanded set of minimum ethnic group reporting categories, but do not support making the expanded set of groups a mandatory data collection requirement. Lastly, Knowledge Alliance supports the working group’s recommendations on terminology. Download

April 4, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed on to the Invest in What Works Coalition letter that requested continued investments in Federal grant programs that award dollars based on evidence of effectiveness and support the building of new evidence through funding evaluation and enhancing access to integrated data. KA believe this can be achieved by including the funding and language requests attached to the letter in the following Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations bills and reports: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Departments of Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies; and Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies. Download

March 24, 2023: Knowledge Alliance offered recommendations to Members of Congress regarding fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations for programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The letter requested increases for all of KA’s priority programs including, a roughly 10 percent increase for the Institute of Education Sciences (ES), Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) and Comprehensive Centers. In addition, KA Education, Innovation and Research (EIR) request translated to approximately a 14 percent increase above the President’s FY 24 budget. KA also expressed its support for new, innovative research and for the proposed National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE). Download Senate Download House

March 2023: Knowledge Alliance expressed support for the increased funding that the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) received in FY23, including the additional $40 million for quick-turnaround, high reward scalable solutions intended to significantly improve outcomes for students. KA joins IES in recognizing this funding as an opportunity for transformative research that enables dramatic advances in teaching and learning. KA also put forth recommended principles for IES to consider as they develop a plan for this additional funding. Download

March 23, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a Data Quality Campaign (DQC) letter urging the appropriations committee to provide at least $100 million for the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) program and $40 million for the Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) grants for fiscal year 2024. Download

March 15, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter from Friends of IES encouraging House and Senate leaders on Labor, Health, Human services, Education and Related agencies (LHHS) appropriations subcommittees to increase funding for IES in FY 2024. The letter requested at least $900 million for IES in the FY 2024 Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, & Related Agencies appropriations bill, an amount that would enable IES to build on ongoing research and development activities. Download

March 14, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter from the Institute of Higher Education Policy (IHEP) expressing support for maintaining the U.S. Secretary of Education’s authority to set aside 0.5 percent of funding from certain Higher Education Act (HEA) programs within the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to support rigorous evaluations and the collection and analysis of outcome data for HEA programs. Download

March 13, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed on to a coalition letter addressed to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200, the Uniform Guidance, which sets grants administration policies for Federal grants to State and local governments. The coalition included non-profit organizations, current and former executives from Federal, State and local government, and other leaders who are committed to building state and local capacity to use data, evidence, and cross-program innovation to improve outcomes for low-income and disadvantaged populations. The letter urged OMB to use the provided guidance revisions as an opportunity to launch a deep, coordinated review of Federal grants administration and reporting processes. Download

March 13, 2023: Knowledge Alliance evaluated how the President’s FY 2024 budget would affect Education Innovation and Research (EIR) programs, Comprehensive Centers (CCs), and Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs). KA also provided a description of how EIR programs, CCs and RELs operate and gave examples of the high-quality work they produce. Download EIR article. Download CC article. Download RELs article.

March 13, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter from Data Quality Campaign (DQC) urging members of the 118^th Congress to provide at least $100 million for the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDS) program and $40 million for the Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) grants for fiscal year 2024. The letter included recommendations for updating state data systems and programs that would make them more effective, accountable, and efficient. Download

March 13, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter produced in response to an Office of Management and Budget (OBM) Request for Information on Uniform Guidance for Grants and Agreements. The letter urged OBM to conduct a deep, coordinated review of Federal grants administration and reporting processes, with an emphasis on correcting the mismatch between stated Federal goals and the compliance-focused processes imposed by the Federal government. Recommendations included modernizing accountability processes to advance evidence-based performance improvements and modernizing financing practices that will strengthen integrated data infrastructure. Download

March 8, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter from Results for America (RFA) summarizing committee recommendations for awarding grants, improving educator development, strengthening data privacy and capacity, supporting evidence-based practices, and prioritizing mental and physical health. The letter directed recommendations toward the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of State (DOS) and Related agencies. Download

March 2, 2023: Knowledge Alliance signed on to a coalition letter addressed to Members of Congress in support of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The letter urged Members to build on the previous fiscal year (FY) investment of $226.8 billion by increasing the FY 2024 allocation for the Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee to a level that ensures robust and sustained investments so that these programs can meet vital needs. It also called on Members to ensure that non-defense discretionary (NDD) funding is not cut or capped in a manner that cuts spending in the FY 2024 appropriations process. Download

February 28, 2023: Knowledge Alliance offered recommendations to amend the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act, including the addition of language highlighting that the National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE) should fund projects jointly carried out by researchers and developers and be sensitive to needs identified in the field. KA also recommended that NCADE prioritize projects carried out by partnerships that, at a minimum, include researchers and State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs), as well as ensure that the data included in State Longitudinal Data Systems (SLDSs) are relevant, useful, and accessible. Download

February 17, 2023: Knowledge Alliance provided recommendations in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) request for information regarding implementation of the new authority provided to ED in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, to reserve funding from certain programs authorized by the Higher Education Act for the purpose of carrying out rigorous and independent evaluations and conducting data collection and analysis of such programs. Knowledge Alliance recommended that the funds be used to advance long-term equity-focused, student centered, and evidence-based policy by building additional evidence about what interventions work for which students and institutions, and under which circumstances. Download

December 19, 2022: Knowledge Alliance submitted recommendations in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED’s) request for comments regarding the draft Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) Stronger Connections Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). KA identified areas throughout the draft FAQs that could be further strengthened to encourage SEAs and LEAs to invest in high-quality evaluation and evidence-based resources to ensure the effective implementation of grant priorities. KA’s recommended changes included changes to two FAQ answers to emphasize the use of state Stronger Connections funds for evaluation purposes and urge grant recipients to connect with their Comprehensive Centers. KA also recommended that ED add a question and provide guidance on how many funds can be used to design and evaluate the use of funds to achieve intended goals. Download 

December 6, 2022: Knowledge Alliance encouraged policymakers at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to convene a diverse group of stakeholders to review how proposed changes to the School Level Finance Survey (SLFS) would impact State educational agencies (SEAs), local education agencies (LEAs), Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) finance data, and current ED work. KA also flagged a collection of approximately 50 comments from concerned States, advocacy organizations and individuals, noting how changes to the SLFS would burden them and hinder their financial equity work. Download Download

November 15, 2022: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter from the Friends of IES alongside 32 organizations urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to support the highest possible increase over the fiscal year (FY) 2023 funding level for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in the Administration's FY 2024 budget request. The letter also urged OMB to address staffing needs to support IES research, statistics, assessment, evaluation, and dissemination activities. Download

November 15, 2022: Knowledge Alliance was one among 33 organizations to sign onto a letter from Friends of IES urging Congress to include $844.1 million for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in a final fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations agreement. Download

November 14, 2022: Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter from the Data Quality Campaign alongside 10 organizations urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to include significant federal investments in state data systems in its forthcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget request and management agenda. These priorities included investments in modernizing state data infrastructure, funding for grant programs to support source systems, programs to address longstanding barriers to cross-sector data use and a simplified cost allocation approach to make it easier for states to utilize federal funding increase their integrated data infrastructure and analytics capacity. Download

November 8, 2022: Knowledge Alliance advocated for an increase in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget for core and innovative programs at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) and U.S. Department of Education (ED). KA included an addendum providing further details on their request for each of the priority programs: Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs), the Research, Development, and Dissemination (RD&D) program, Comprehensive Centers (CCs), and the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) programs. Download

October 3, 2022 – Knowledge Alliance provided comments and recommendations in response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) request for information on identifying equitable data engagement and accountability practices between Federal agencies and other levels of government. In addition to highlighting examples from KA members, the letter describes how Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs), Comprehensive Centers (CCs), and IES’ “Ask An Expert” Service used to make equitable data more accessible and useable for members of the public. Download

September 1, 2022 – Knowledge Alliance provided comments to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to advocate for the inclusion of Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) and Comprehensive Centers (CCs) as examples of community agencies through the School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) Services Grant Program. KA also proposed that ED incorporate language that requires a plan for grantees to continually evaluate their outcomes and make improvements that are informed by data, as well as include the application and definition of “evidence-based” in all recruitment, respecialization and retention strategies. Download

September 1, 2022 – Knowledge Alliance responded to the U.S Department of Education's (ED's) comment request regarding proposed priorities and definitions for the Mental Health Service Professional (MHSP) Demonstration Grant Program. KA primarily advocated for the inclusion and definition of “evidence-based” to be written into the context of pedagogical practices in mental health services provider preparation programs and professional development programs. Download

August 31, 2022- Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter from the Data Quality Campaign alongside 18 organizations urging Interim Chief Information Officer Matt Behrens to prioritize making investments in P-20W data systems as part of Iowa’s State Digital Equity Plan. In the letter, the Data Quality Campaign cites critical requirements in the federal Digital Equity Act that permit states to address persistent barriers to achieving universal access to high-speed broadband internet in order to close connectivity gaps where they exist. Download

July 28, 2022 - Knowledge Alliance signed onto a letter authored by the Alliance for Learning Innovation (ALI) alongside 22 organizations in support of the New Essential Education Discoveries (NEED) Act. The NEED Act authorizes critical investments in education research through the creation of the National Center for Advanced Development in Education (NCADE) and the modernization of Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS). The letter also notes the urgency of researching and developing new tools in education to address exacerbated education gaps and learning loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Download

May 31, 2022 - Knowledge Alliance responded to the National Center for Education Research (NCER) Institute for Education Sciences’ (IES) request for information (RFI) on identifying existing large datasets that may be useful for research and regarding the challenges and limitations that may affect access and their value for research. Download

May 26, 2022 - Knowledge Alliance provided written testimony to the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) on KA priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. The letter urged the Subcommittee to provide increases in funding for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), Research Development and Dissemination (RD&D) line item, Regional Education Laboratories (RELs), Comprehensive Centers (CCs) and Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program. Download

May 12, 2022 - Knowledge Alliance responded to three reports released by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) on the future of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), education research and education statistics. In the letter, KA addresses common themes across the reports and briefly responds to each report separately. Download

April 27, 2022 - Knowledge Alliance advocates for increases in key education R&D infrastructure for FY2023 to leverage critical research, technical assistance, evaluation and innovation to help states, districts and schools. Download

April 4, 2022 - Knowledge Alliance submitted a thank you letter to House Democrats for their inclusion of many KA recommendations regarding the  evidence-based research in their draft of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Download

April 1, 2022 - Knowledge Alliance submitted comments to the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) expressing support for the majority of the changes proposed in What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) Procedures and Standards Handbook, Version 5.0. Download

March 21, 2022 - As part of the Invest in What Works Coalition, Knowledge Alliance signed onto a joint FY23 Appropriations request letter urging Congress to support and expand evidence-based programs through this year's appropriations process. Download

January 7, 2022 - Knowledge Alliance has provided various Federal policymakers examples of how its members are supporting State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) in implementing evidence-based strategies towards COVID-19 recovery. Additionally, the document provides reports from the field on American Rescue Plan (ARP) implementation and Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) accountability and assessment challenges. Download

December 9, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance submitted comments in response to Institute of Education Sciences' (IES) Director Mark Schneider's blog post titled "Better is Good." The letter addresses various IES topics including methods to increase researcher effectiveness, the IES peer review process and interest in scaling IES research. Download

December 3, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) advocating for increased funding towards KA priority programs in the Administration's FY23 budget request. Download

November 16, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance was one among 33 organizations to sign onto a letter from Friends of IES urging Congress to include $814 million for the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) in a final fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations agreement. Download

November 15, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance submitted a thank you letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education & Related Agencies (LHHS) supporting the proposed increases for KA priority programs in the Majority Party's FY2022 appropriations bill. Download

October 7, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance submitted comments regarding the Institute of Education Sciences' (IES) School Pulse Panel Data Collection. Download

September 16, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance submitted comments in response to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) proposed 2022-2026 Learning Agenda. Download

July 22, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance submitted comments and recommendations to the Senate HELP Committee regarding the reauthorization of the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA). Download

July 21, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance provided comments in response to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Miguel Cardona’s Proposed Requirements and Definitions for Use in Discretionary Grant Programs. Download

July 21, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance submitted comments in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) Request for Information regarding the nondiscriminatory administration of school discipline. Download

June 22, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance was one of over 40 organizations urging Congress to invest in a college completion fund, which focuses on scaling evidence-based programs to improve retention and completion at institutions with an above-average number of historically underserved students. Download

June 17, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance was one among 32 organizations to sign onto a letter from Friends of IES endorsing the inclusion of $737.47 million for the Institute of Education Sciences in President Biden's Fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget proposal. Download

June 14, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance was one among 300 organizations calling on Appropriations Committee leaders to provide the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill with enough funding to at least accommodate the President' fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget request. Download

June 1, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance submitted comments in response to the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) proposed priorities and definitions regarding the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant program. Download

April 13, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance joins other non-profit education policy and research organizations in urging the U.S. Department of Education to provide guidance on the American Rescue Plan’s evidence-based provisions to accelerate recovery and advance equity. Download

April 9, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance provides input on the Senate HELP Committee’s call for solutions to update and expand workforce training programs. Download

April 7, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance advocates for increases in key education R&D infrastructure for FY2022 to leverage critical research, technical assistance, evaluation and innovation to help states, districts and schools meet the academic and social emotional learning (SEL) needs of all students, especially student populations who have been historically underserved and significantly impacted by the pandemic. Download

April 1, 2021 - As part of the Postsecondary Data Collaborative (PostsecData), Knowledge Alliance signed onto a joint letter in support of the introduction of the College Transparency Act of 2021, which would create a secure, privacy-protected postsecondary data network. Download

March 23, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance was one among 42 organizations to sign onto a letter from Friends of IES urging Congress to support and expand evidence-based programs through the FY22 appropriations process. Download

February 25, 2021 - As part of the Invest in What Works Coalition, Knowledge Alliance signed onto a joint letter urging Congress to support and expand evidence-based programs through this year's appropriations process. Download

February 11, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance joins with other education groups to express their support for the U.S. Senate introduction of the Fund for Innovation and Success in Higher Education (FINISH) Act which would leverage the power of evidence and innovation to improve outcomes in higher education. Download

February 1, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance joins with other education groups to express their support for the U.S. House introduction of the Fund for Innovation and Success in Higher Education (FINISH) Act which would leverage the power of evidence and innovation to improve outcomes in higher education. Download

February 1, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance joins with other education groups calling on Congress to provide funding for a School Pulse Survey to fully understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and educators, including data on the status of in-person learning. Download

January 25, 2021 - Knowledge Alliance urges a swift and bipartisan confirmation of Dr. Miguel Cardona to be next U.S. Secretary of Education. Dr. Cardona has been supportive and involved in several research and evidence-based initiatives through the Region 2 Comprehensive Center and Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands (REL-NEI). Download

January 20, 2021 - As part of the Postsecondary Data Collaborative (PostsecData), Knowledge Alliance signed onto this joint letter on quarterly data collection under the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Download