The Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development (READ) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump. The law will improve educational opportunities and address key barriers that keep millions of children worldwide from accessing quality education.

At Jesuit Refugee Service/USA, we believe that education can be a lifesaving intervention for refugees. Education – in particular during times of conflict and crisis – provides vulnerable children and adolescents with an opportunity to re-build their communities and create a more hopeful future.

“Thank you to Congressional champions Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Marco Rubio (R-IL), Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Representative Dave Reichert (R-WA) for their leadership on this issue. Education is critical for children in conflict and crisis, and the READ Act ensures that U.S. education assistance reaches those children that need it most,” said David Robinson, Executive Director of Jesuit Refugee Service/USA.

The READ Act helps prioritize investments in education programs and requires that the U.S. develop a comprehensive, integrated strategy that builds and strengthens global education programs. The new law also establishes a new position – Senior Coordinator of U.S. International Basic Education Assistance – to coordinate these efforts.

JRS/USA is proud to have supported the Bill and grateful to you, our supporters, who participated in taking action to get this bill passed into law.