3 Ways The American Families Plan Aims To Improve Education

President Biden has had a busy first few months in office. In March, he signed the American Rescue Plan into law. It helped accelerate the COVID-19 vaccine rollout to protect people of all ages. And the plan also triggered the reopening of schools from coast to coast, while also distributing $1,400 stimulus payments to help families handle their bills.

As we still reap the rewards of the American Rescue Plan, Biden has yet another plan in the mix that aims to help middle-class families stay afloat and even move up the ladder. It’s called the American Families Plan, and it promises aid with basic expenses, insurance that’s accessible for all, and possibly most important of all, education.

How could the American Families Plan improve your children’s education, or even yours, if you’re looking to go back to school? Let’s break it down by looking at three ways the plan hopes to help everyone learn.

1. Free Pre-School For Three and Four Year Olds

Many parents find that child care is so expensive nowadays that they’re better off not working and staying home. This is a massive issue that the American Families Plan addresses via a $200 billion investment to offer universal pre-school for kids who are three to four years old.

By offering universal pre-school, low-income families could gain access to a service they may not have been able to afford. It’s estimated that five million children could benefit from free pre-school, and their parents could benefit by saving an average of $13,000 per year in childcare costs.

Offering free pre-school is just one side of the coin, as we need educators to teach the kids.
Under the American Families Plan, students interested in early childhood education could receive free community college, competitive wages, and on-the-job training. The minimum wage for workers in Head Start and Pre-K programs would be set at $15.

2. Free Community College for First-Time Students, Workers, and Dreamers

College enrollment has gone down due to tuition costs that put secondary education out of reach for many. The American Families Plan tackles this problem with a $109 billion investment that would help workers, DREAMers, and first-time students experience community college at no cost.

Biden knows that some students have children to take care of and must work jobs while attending school. For this reason, the American Families Plan would give community college attendees up to four years to get their degree or credential for free. If the plan is approved, 5.5 million could benefit from it.

3. A $1,400 Boost to Pell Grants

As the cost of college goes up, the effectiveness of Pell Grants goes down. Since many low-income students use these grants to get by, the American Families Plan would increase the maximum award by $1,400. DREAMers would be included in this benefit, as with free community college.