Affirming the role of the United States in improving access to quality, inclusive public education and improving learning outcomes for children and adolescents, particularly for girls, around the world.
H. Res. 66 is a House Resolution that formally affirms the United States’ role in improving global access to quality, inclusive public education and in boosting learning outcomes for children and adolescents, with a particular emphasis on girls. It frames education as essential to development, economic growth, peace, and public health, and it cites data on out-of-school children, literacy gaps, and the particular vulnerabilities of children in emergencies and with disabilities. The resolution acknowledges existing international education partnerships (notably the Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait), stresses that education should be integrated into humanitarian responses, and urges the U.S. government to sustain and prioritize its commitments to international basic education in its annual budget requests. It also directs the State Department and USAID to use all diplomatic, humanitarian, and development tools to promote access to quality education and to prioritize education for people with disabilities, girls, crisis-affected populations, and other marginalized groups. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional support and policy preferences rather than creating new legal obligations or authorizing new funding. Its passage would signal broad bipartisan support for U.S. international education initiatives and could influence future funding and diplomatic priorities.
Key Points
- 1The resolution commends U.S. leadership and commitment to expanding access to quality, inclusive education for the world’s poorest and most marginalized children and adolescents, with a focus on improving learning outcomes globally.
- 2It recognizes the value of international education partnerships (Global Partnership for Education and Education Cannot Wait) in strengthening U.S. education programs and leveraging additional resources.
- 3It emphasizes that education is a lifesaving humanitarian intervention and calls for education to be integrated into all humanitarian responses, with coordination across sectors and U.S. government agencies.
- 4It urges that U.S. international education commitments be met through annual budget requests to Congress, highlighting the importance of sustaining funding.
- 5It directs the Secretary of State and the Administrator of USAID to prioritize quality, inclusive education for children and youth with disabilities, girls, children in emergencies, and traditionally marginalized groups, as a critical component of learning equity, poverty reduction, and global stability.