Advocacy

Students deserve more.
More knowledge. More choices. More support.

From Capitol Hill to U.S. classrooms, we’re rallying behind policies that empower young people to explore their options, get hands-on experience, and translate dreams into practical and affordable plans for life after high school.

Read about our history as an advocate

For more information, contact Julie Lammers (jryder@asa.org), VP, Government Relations and Advocacy.

Exploration

We support programs and policies that will expand access to college and career exploration for all students, as early as middle school.

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Experiential
Learning

We support programs and policies that will expand hands-on and experiential learning for all students.

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Postsecondary
Options & Funding

We support programs and polices that broaden public understanding of post-secondary options and increase funding for all pathways.

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Featured Work

MA
Innovation
Pathways

Innovation Pathways restructure learning time in schools to give students experience in a specific high-demand industry through coursework, hands-on learning and internships at local employers.

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Our Work

ISSUE BRIEFS
AND RESOURCES

Our latest thinking on programs and policies to strengthen student exploration, expand experiential learning, broaden public understanding of post-secondary options, and increase funding for all post-high school pathways.

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TESTIMONY AND
LEGISLATIVE INPUT

ASA regularly provides testimony and legislative input to federal and state lawmakers as they debate legislation around career exploration, experiential learning and all forms of post-secondary education funding.

News + Views

ASA Convenes Policy Forum on Short-Term Pell Grants

ASA recently held a policy forum at the U.S. Capitol focusing on how we can expand the Federal Pell grant program beyond traditional two and four year degrees to cover short term certificate programs and other training opportunities not currently covered by federal grants.

ASA Convenes Panel Discussion “Exploring Earlier: Helping Middle Schoolers See What They Can Be”

Read more about our recent panel discussion where more than 50 educators, policymakers and business leaders came together to discuss expanding career exploration opportunities to middle schoolers.

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Upcoming Events

Jun 23, 2020   Webinar YOUTH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & DIGITAL WORK-BASED LEARNING DURING THE AGE OF COVID-19

American Student Assistance® (ASA) and MENTOR invite you to join us on June 23rd 2:00-3:30 pm (EST) for a forum on
youth workforce development and digital work-based learning during the age of COVID-19.

Learn how organizations, both big and small, are adjusting their programs to ensure youth have access to key workforce
development programming this summer. The two panels will talk about the shifts they have made from in-person to virtual
experiences and share some best practices for those looking to implement digital work-based learning programming.

Register Now