Policy Priorities
Advocating for and executing the implementation of patriotic education in our schools.
Developing model legislation and policies focused on promoting patriotic curriculum and blocking divisive concepts like Critical Race Theory that state legislators can consider implementing.
Driving transparency on the curriculum in our schools.
Educating parents, school officials, and legislators.
Educating America’s educators.
America’s Founding Fathers recognized that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights …” Sadly today, academic elites and demagogues challenge this self-evident proposition, choosing instead to embrace identity politics, division, and submission. The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) will work to affirm and celebrate America — not as an aesthetic act, but as a moral statement. Our work aims to promulgate American values in our educational institutions and through our Nation’s citizens — not as a look back at the past, but as the foundation of our future.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Our Nation is more polarized than ever before, and American patriotism and the values that founded the greatest political experiment of all time are under attack. The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) will disseminate the truth about the American founding into our Nation’s schools and homes to restore national unity and pride through a renewed understanding of our founding.
POLICY PRIORITIES
The AFPI Center for 1776 will advance policies that aid parents, citizens, educators, officeholders, and leaders in their efforts to ensure that Americans know and celebrate the true, accurate, and full American story. The ideals upon which the Nation was founded are the ideas that animate our work.
Team
Lou Holtz
Chair, Center for 1776
Jack Brewer
Chair, Center for Opportunity Now and Vice Chair, Center for 1776
Alexandra Caro Campana
Director, Center for 1776 and Director, Center for Opportunity Now
Governor Phil Bryant
Senior Advisor
Jerry C. Davis, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor, Center for 1776
James Baehr
Senior Fellow, Center for 1776
Andy Puzder
Senior Fellow
Julia Butch
Policy Analyst, Center for Education Opportunity and Center for 1776
Cole Mushegan
Policy Analyst, Center for 1776
Latest
Op-Ed
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July 4, 2024
Reclaiming the spirit of Independence Day
Two hundred forty-eight years ago, American independence was proclaimed. Today, the America First Policy Institute is following the tradition of our Founding Fathers and igniting the spirit of the Revolution in the minds and hearts of modern Americans.
Fact Sheet
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July 3, 2024
Reigniting Patriotism through Education & Awareness
Prioritizing American Patriotism on the 4TH of July
Bill Analysis
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July 1, 2024
Analysis of Iowa HF 2544: The Social Studies Curriculum Act, Section 1
Iowa’s Social Studies Curriculum Act would have accomplished the following: Used portions of the America First Policy Institute’s model policy, The Social Studies Curriculum Act, to establish modules based on accurate teaching of American history and address record-low history and civics scores.
Issue Brief
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June 24, 2024
Honoring The American Flag in Schools
Given waning patriotism among younger generations, we must prioritize displaying and pledging allegiance to the American flag in schools to help K–12 students understand and appreciate our core values of liberty and freedom.
Op-Ed
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June 16, 2024
A Father’s Day message to the NFL
Each Father’s Day, we reflect on fathers’ devotion across America. Being a father to my own children has been my most challenging coaching job, but it is also the greatest privilege life has bestowed upon me. As a former head football coach, I hold dear another profound role: being a father figure to my players.
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