Worldwide, 77 million children of primary school age are not in school – the vast majority of who are girls. Hundreds of million more children are denied a secondary school education. The lack of educational opportunity not only hurts children, but has been linked to decreased health outcomes and reduced economic gains.

In 2000, the United States, along with other governments around the world, committed to the goal of achieving universal basic education by 2015. The Education for All Act of 2007 would enable the U.S. government to make a significant commitment to reach that goal, and help children in developing countries, particularly areas experiencing conflict or humanitarian emergencies, have access to a quality basic education.

Purpose
This section states that the purpose of this bill is to ensure that the U.S. provides the resources and leadership to ensure a successful international effort to provide all children with a quality basic education.

Policy
This section states that it is the policy of the U.S. to work with foreign countries and international organizations to increase the global commitment to achieving universal basic education by assisting developing countries and non-governmental and multilateral organizations working to provide all children with a quality basic education.

Principles
The section states that the U.S. will be guided by the following principles: committing substantial new resources; encouraging other donors to contribute; encouraging and integrating contributions and participation from the private sector and nongovernmental organizations; expanding access to school for all children to increase the number of children completing a quality basic education; coordinating between U.S. government agencies and departments including those working to prevent HIV/AIDS; coordinating between education activities provided in an emergency and those provided as part of a development strategy; working within country’s National Education Plans; and integrating education plans with national economic strategies.

Development and Implementation of an Education for All Strategy
This section requires the President to develop a comprehensive integrated strategy for the United States government to follow in working to reach the 2015 goal. Such strategy shall coordinate and prioritize activities among the executive branch, expand coordination and leverage of support with donor agencies, other governments, and international organizations, support efforts to reach vulnerable populations and increase technical assistance and training, and include specific indicators and objectives with which to measure progress in improve access to quality basic education in developing countries.

The U.S. government will then work with countries that either have a Fast Track Initiative National Education plan or have the willingness to develop a plan. In situations, where there is not the opportunity or the capacity to work with a national government, the U.S. will engage committed local governments and civil society organizations. Some of the activities supported under this legislation include:

• Eliminating school fees and expanding access to education
• Training teachers and building infrastructure.
• Identifying and replicating successful interventions that improve the quality of education such as school lunch and school health programs.
• Promoting civic education and life skills training.
• Supporting initiatives that reach the most disadvantaged populations.
• Ensuring that schools are not incubators for violent extremism.

For countries affected by conflict or crisis, the U.S. government will work to support activities to ensure a continuity of educational activities for all children, reestablish formal education services, and engage in other activities that will help such children.

This legislation also states that assistance should be prioritized for countries where there is the greatest need and the greatest opportunity to increase access and improve the quality of basic education.

Reports
This section requires the President to report to the Appropriations Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee prior to each fiscal year. The reports should include: efforts made by each agency to implement policies in this legislation; programs established by country that contribute to the 2015 goal; assessment of the impact of the programs.

Universal Basic Education Fellowship Program
This section establishes a fellowship program at USAID, which will allow qualified individuals to serve 3-year terms as Basic Education Fellows, helping to establish and carry-out basic education policy and programming.

Authorization of Appropriations
This section authorizes $1 billion FY08, $1.5 billion for FY09, $2 billion for FY10, $2.5 billion for FY11, $3 billion for FY12.

Education for All Coordinator
This section establishes the position of an Education for All Coordinator. This individual will be appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, and housed in the immediate office of the Secretary of State. This Coordinator will have the same authorities and responsibilities as the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and will have no other position besides being the Education for All Coordinator.