On March 12th, 2019 over 80 implementing partners and representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) met to celebrate and discuss the USAID Education Policy, released in November 2018. The Basic Education Coalition (BEC), InterAction, and USAID co-hosted the event in Washington, DC.
Sam Worthington (InterAction) gave opening remarks. Candace Debnam (BEC) welcomed the group and previewed the event format and goals. Julie Cram (USAID) presented an overview of key shifts in the new USAID Education Policy (2018) compared to the previous USAID Education Strategy (2011). High-level reflections were provided by 5 panelists: Robert Burch (USAID), Kristine Wilcox (ASU), Wendy Kopp (Teach for All), Heather Simpson (Room to Read), and Mitch Kirby (USAID). There was time for audience Q&A, then participants split into 4 small group sessions: early childhood, reading and numeracy, monitoring and evaluation, and higher education. Nancy Devine (BEC Co-Chair) gave closing remarks and all participants were invited to stay for a reception to celebrate progress in international education, hosted by BEC.
BEC produced an Event Summary. This is not a verbatim transcript and should not be quoted as such. We hope this record will serve as basis for continued conversations during rollout of the new USAID Education Policy.