Needless to say, 2020 brought a myriad of unexpected challenges across the globe and in the United States and now that we have entered a new year, we are collectively as a nation, and as individuals, hoping for a better 2021. It is undeniable that many parts of our society have been affected one way or another by this past year. The future of quality education throughout the United States is no exception. Now that 2021 is upon us, and there is a new administration taking office, we will be looking into what this may mean for the future of education, during and post pandemic. 

President Joe Biden has formally announced his cabinet which has the most people of color and most female representation in history, as well as the first openly gay Cabinet member. As an organization rooted in promoting diversity, this is definitely something to celebrate! The Cabinet member that has us excited and will have an immediate impact on our organization and our kids is Biden’s pick for Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona.

Who is Miguel Cardona? 

Cardona was born to Puerto Rican parents who migrated to the United States. He grew up in Connecticut and in public housing. As a child, he attended the local public school and was an English Language learner.  This has influenced his focus and desire to close the gaps that ELL students have compared to their classmates. He was the first person in his family to attend college, became a public school fourth grade teacher, and later served as a principal for 10 years. In summary,  he has first-hand experience in the public school system in the United States and knows its weaknesses. He not only attended a public school himself but also was an educator and administrator. 

Cardona is entering this position in one of the most important but also taxing times possibly in the history of the U.S.; during a pandemic that has affected the education system, children, and young adults within it, for nearly a full year now. It is no secret that there is a large equity gap in the U.S. education system that has continued to widen during this pandemic. Students around the country are struggling and those that reside in low-income communities are suffering the most. According to a U.S. census survey, conducted in April of 2020 “4.4 million households with students still lack consistent access to a computer and 3.7 million lack internet access.” Cardona as well as Biden acknowledge this disparity.  

Biden has spoken about increasing funding and recognizes that some parents have to drive their students to coffee shops just so they can attend school or turn in homework assignments. At Kids in the Game, we too have adjusted our program models to adapt to the unique online school climate. This year we opened Remote Learning Centers at multiple locations so parents had the flexibility to drop their kids off at a site and trust that their school work would get done in a positive environment. They were then able to work a full day, many being essential workers. 

Importantly, Cardona recognizes the essential challenges he is facing did not just become an issue with COVID-19, but have been systematic issues throughout the history of education in the U.S. 

Biden and Cardona’s COVID-related plans: 

1. Reopening schools: President Biden and Cardona both stressed their desire to re-open schools, but made sure to emphasize that they want to safely re-open schools. Biden explained that he would like to have the majority of the schools in the U.S. open again by then end of the administration’s first 100 days. Biden further discussed that to do this they would need funding approved from congress to be able to provide more ventilation and cleaning services. 

Other Plans for the Education System: 

Both Cardona and Biden as well as Vice-President Kamala Harris are focused on addressing multiple equity gaps in the U.S.’ education system, including but not limited to:

1. Increase funding for Title I schools: In his address, on December 23rd, Biden asks “How must it be in America that parents have to drive to a parking lot of a coffee shop or library for wifi that they cannot afford at home so that their kids can attend school?” To help address this problem as well as others faced by low-income families in the U.S they expressed their desire to provide triple-funding for Title I schools. 
2. Mental Health Services: Biden proposed his plan to double the amount of school psychologists, therapists, and nurses in schools. This will give teachers the opportunity to focus more on teaching. 
3. Increased funding for HBCUs:  Biden’s presidential campaign often emphasized their desire to narrow the inequity gaps within our education system. Now that Biden is the president-elect it is no different as he has proposed to invest $70 billion into HBCUs and other minority focused serving institutions. 

What does this mean for Kids in the Game?

We at Kids in the Game provide direct programming to public, private, and charter schools no matter what neighborhood. One of our main goals is to narrow the inequality gap within one of the most segregated cities in the country. It is exciting to see a Secretary of Education who wants the same. 

To read more about Biden as well as Cardona’s plan for education, you can click here.

Written by Sol Ashgarcia

Organize. Build. Play. Whether we are talking about Legos, fort building, or gathering friends for a pickup game of soccer the process remains the same: Organize. Build. Play. KING partnered up with the VML foundation this past week to put these words into action while giving back to our community. The VML Foundation is the non-profit foundation of VML (a creative advertising agency) that aims to give back to the communities they work and live in. Each year their 26 worldwide locations take the same day off work to participate in the VML Foundation Day and volunteer. This year, VML New York City chose to work with KING.

It is not everyday that we need 100+ volunteers on a Thursday in September, but that did not stop us from organizing, building, and playing!

Step 1 Organize: After a generous donation from the VML foundation we were able to order large quantities of brand new PE equipment to be donated to 3 schools: 2 in Harlem and 1 in the Bronx. 8 dozen balls, 160+ cones, dozens of jump ropes, flag football gear, floor spots, and basically any other PE gear you can imagine all randomly packed in boxes—mix and match, sort it out and get that gear organized.

Step 2 Build: Many schools in New York City not only lack adequate PE equipment, but also lack storage space for the equipment they do have. Racks, boxes, and storage containers to the rescue! Our VML volunteers got out their tools and constructed storage solutions for each school.

Step 3 Play: The hard work is done and now it’s time to enjoy the benefits; it is finally time to play! The three schools we partnered with were gracious enough to welcome us into their gyms for the donation unveil and to play a few games. The VML team was greeted by over 240 excited kids ready to dominate in a game of wizard ball! It is debatable who had more fun playing, the kids or the volunteers; we will call it a tie for now!

The day allowed 100+ volunteers the opportunity to travel back to their elementary and middle school days and forget about their day-to-day worries. The day also opened their eyes to the struggles many schools have to keep up with adequate equipment. The impact this volunteer day had on these schools will continue to grow each time a kid uses a basketball or a jump rope that they didn’t have before.

To be able to give back to the communities we work with is the best part of our jobs. A big thanks to the VML foundation for joining us in the fun, it was a day for the books!

What was said about the event:

“…We would like to thank your organization and the VML Foundation for your very generous gifts of equipment and your valuable time spent with our students yesterday. The equipment will help our sports teams tremendously and the Scholarship will aid one of our 8th graders to attend one of your summer camps.” –Patrick Mangan, Athletic Director, Frederich Douglas Academy

“What an incredible day for everybody. Everybody was talking about it today, sharing pictures, stories, etc. Great stuff, great organization you guys have” -Chris Furse VML Executive Director

“I know I speak for our entire office, and especially our Foundation Team, when I say that the entire KING team made the day yesterday. We’ve gotten so much positive feedback from our exec team and various staff members, and that was in large part to your team and the passion you all have for coaching, the kids, your energy, and the overall mission of KING Kids.” -Jaime Manela, VML Foundation Team Leader