E-Update for April 24, 2015
E-Update for April 24, 2015
Events
On April 27, Results for America (RFA) and American Enterprise Institute will host a bipartisan discussion on how to revamp federal education policies and programs to help lawmakers spend public funds more effectively and efficiently. Rick Hess and Bethany Little will present a set of principles and policy recommendations for making better use of data, evidence, and evaluation to improve student outcomes. Other speakers will include: Emma Vadehra, Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of Education, and John Bailey, Vice President of Policy at the Foundation for Excellence in Education. RSVP here.
On April 28, the Center for American Progress will host a conversation about a new report that highlights school districts throughout the country that are empowering teachers to lead the way to successful implementation of the Common Core. The report, “Teacher Leadership: The Pathway to Common Core Success,” demonstrates how teachers are assuming significant leadership roles and engaging in key decisions about how to implement the standards each day,and, in doing so, paving the way to a smooth transition to the Common Core. After featured remarks from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, a panel of experts will discuss how teacher leadership can drive Common Core success and how districts and unions can work together to accelerate this approach. RSVP at 202-682-1611.
On April 29, the Century Foundation and the Poverty & Race Research Action Council will host a Capitol Hill briefing on a new report, “A Better Start: Why Classroom Diversity Matters in Early Education.” A panel of experts will discuss classroom diversity and how it affects the equity, quality, and sustainability of preschool programs. Register here.
On April 30, the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training will host a hearing, “Improving College Access and Completion for Low-Income and First-Generation Students.” Witnesses have not yet been announced. More information here.
U.S Department of Education
New Guidance from U.S. Department of Education Reminds Schools of Obligation to Designate Title IX Coordinator: The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on April 24 released a guidance package emphasizing the responsibility of school districts, colleges and universities to designate a Title IX coordinator. The package also contains an overview of the law’s requirements in several key areas, including athletics, single-sex education, sex-based harassment, and discipline.
April 24, 2015
Secretary Discusses Federal Role on Opt-outs: U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said on April 21 that the federal government is obligated to intervene if states fail to address the rising number of students who are boycotting mandated annual exams, Chalkbeat New York reported. When asked whether states with many test boycotters would face consequences, Duncan said he expected states to make sure districts get enough students take the tests. “We think most states will do that,” Duncan said during a discussion at the Education Writers Association conference in Chicago. “If states don’t do that, then we have an obligation to step in.”
Chalkbeat New York
April 21, 2015
Congressional Headlines
HELP Committee Leadership Lauds Strong Support for Bipartisan Agreement to Fix No Child Left Behind: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee released a press statement on April 21 highlighting the “strong support” for the Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 after last week’s markup. The release notes that the bill “is receiving broad support from governors, chief state school officers, teachers, school board members, and school superintendents.”
April 21, 2015
House Science Committee Holds Markup: The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a markup of the new version of the America COMPETES Act on April 22. The bill would authorize the National Science Foundation (NSF) and several other agencies, boosting funding for some areas of scientific research while cutting funds from other areas, including social sciences research at the NSF.
April 22, 2015
Labor HHS Subcommittee Holds Budget Hearing: The Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee held a hearing on the FY2016 Budget Request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell testified at the hearing.
April 23, 2015
New Legislation
H.R.1898 : To provide for investment in innovation through research and development and STEM education, to improve the competitiveness of the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] (introduced 4/21/2015) Cosponsors (15)
H.R.1924 : To provide for the establishment of a program by the National Science Foundation to support undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education at Hispanic-serving institutions.
Sponsor: Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-15] (introduced 4/21/2015) Cosponsors (28)
H.R.1956 : To improve the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (6)
H.R.1957 : To improve the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (6)
H.R.1958 : To improve the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (6)
H.R.1959 : To provide Dreamer students with access to student financial aid.
Sponsor: Rep Hinojosa, Ruben [TX-15] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (6)
H.R.1962 : To establish State infrastructure banks for education.
Sponsor: Rep Huffman, Jared [CA-2] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.2004 : To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for more effective online education verification metrics.
Sponsor: Rep Byrne, Bradley [AL-1] (introduced 4/23/2015) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.2013 : To strengthen and extend the authorization of appropriations for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Kind, Ron [WI-3] (introduced 4/23/2015) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.2022 : To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to create a demonstration project to fund additional secondary school counselors in troubled title I schools to reduce the dropout rate.
Sponsor: Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-38] (introduced 4/23/2015) Cosponsors (24)
S.1025 : A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to clarify when certain academic assessments shall be administered.
Sponsor: Sen Tester, Jon [MT] (introduced 4/21/2015) Cosponsors (None)
S.1031 : A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to improve the Act.
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 4/21/2015) Cosponsors (1)
S.1050 : A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by establishing a program to support the modernization, renovation, or repair of career and technical education facilities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Schatz, Brian [HI] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (1)
S.1059 : A bill to provide Dreamer students with access to student financial aid.
Sponsor: Sen Hirono, Mazie K. [HI] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (1)
S.1060 : A bill to improve the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Hirono, Mazie K. [HI] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (2)
S.1061 : A bill to improve the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Hirono, Mazie K. [HI] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (2)
S.1062 : A bill to improve the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Hirono, Mazie K. [HI] (introduced 4/22/2015) Cosponsors (3)
S.1065 : A bill to amend title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide grants for the development of asthma management plans and the purchase of asthma inhalers and spacers for emergency use, as necessary.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 4/23/2015) Cosponsors (None)
S.1075 : A bill to strengthen and extend the authorization of appropriations for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] (introduced 4/23/2015) Cosponsors (None)