E-Update for February 6, 2023

The information covered below is from January 27 to February 2.

Highlights:

• On February 1, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee held a hearing to explore waste, fraud, and abuse related to federal pandemic spending.
• On February 1, USED released new data estimating that more than 18 million college students have received direct financial aid under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund since the start of 2021.
• On January 31, the House Education and the Workforce Committee held an organizational meeting – the first with Republicans in the majority – for the 118th Congress.

Administration:

Biden Administration shares how formal end of COVID-19 emergency declaration will impact student loan forgiveness, repayment: On January 30, President Biden announced that the Administration will formally end the COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE), first declared at the start of the pandemic by the Trump Administration in March 2020, on May 11, 2023. The COVID-19 national emergency declaration is set to expire on March 1, and the federal PHE on April 11. The Biden Administration’s plan to extend both declarations until the May 11th end date is in line with commitments to provide at least 60 days’ notice prior to any change in policy. Also this week, on January 31, the House of Representatives passed a joint resolution (H.J. Res. 7), sponsored by Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ), to “terminate” the COVID-19 emergency. The resolution was passed largely along party lines, with eleven Democrats joining all Republicans voting in favor. It is unlikely that this resolution will pass in the Senate. In its Statement of Administration Policy, which provides the Administration’s formal views on Congressional legislation, the White House shared its opposition to the House resolution and noting that “abruptly ending the [declarations] would create wide-ranging chaos and uncertainty…for tens of millions of Americans.” Beyond implications for health care policy, the Administration shared that a sudden change in policy would impact immigration and student loan repayment. The policy allowing a pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections, which was first implemented and then extended multiple times by the Trump Administration,  as well as the Biden Administration’s plan to forgive federal student loan debt currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, relies on authority provided by these emergency declarations.

White House:

White House publishes new data on applicants and borrowers automatically eligible for federal student loan forgiveness proposal: On January 27, the Biden-Harris Administration released a fact sheet with state-by-state data showing the number of applicants and borrowers automatically eligible for the Administration’s federal student loan forgiveness proposal. The student loan forgiveness program – which would cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loans for Pell Grant recipients and up to $10,000 for non-Pell Grant recipients – is currently on hold and will be considered by the Supreme Court in late February. The data released showed that 26 million Americans applied for the debt relief in the first four weeks that the application was available, and notes that over 40 million borrowers would qualify for the proposal. Additionally, nearly 90 percent of the debt relief would be issued to borrowers who earn less than $75,000 a year. The announcement includes state-by-state data of the number of eligible people who applied and were eligible for relief, as well as the number of approved applications before the plan was halted by a number of legal challenges resulting in the Supreme Court agreeing to review the program.

Biden emphasizes importance of early childhood education in Democratic National Committee speech: On January 31, President Joe Biden spoke at a Democratic National Committee (DNC) event, where he emphasized the importance of early learning. In his remarks, President Biden said that his Administration “didn’t get enough done on education” and that universal education was a key factor in the country’s leadership across the world. More specifically, Biden said, “data shows… that if you [go] to school, no matter what your background, no matter what home you came from, if you start off in school at age three, you increase by 56 percent the chance you’ll get through 12 years of school and go on to either an apprenticeship or two years in college.” President Biden mentioned his support for increasing teacher pay, and concluded, “It’s critical that we… improve our education system.”

U.S. Department of Education (USED):

USED Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten visits high school campus in Nashville as part of Administration’s “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” tour: On January 30, USED Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten visited Valor Collegiate Academies in Nashville, Tennessee to learn about ways the schools have promoted academic excellence. Three schools make up the Valor campus, and Deputy Secretary Marten visited each to meet with students and parents and learn about Valor’s learning models that focus on both comprehensive academic development and personal growth. School leaders also shared their “Compass Care” model, which is supported by American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to address chronic absenteeism and mental and emotional health challenges. Deputy Secretary Marten later joined Nashville Mayor John Cooper and Metro Nashville Public Schools Superintendent Adrienne Battle on a tour of McMurray Middle School and the Peace Center, where students learn strategies for reducing stress.

USED releases fact sheet on diversity and inclusion activities under Title VI: On January 31, USED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a new fact sheet confirming that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training programs are in accordance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. OCR issued the fact sheet in response to recent confusion regarding the legality of DEI activities in schools, and stated that it is in the country’s best interest to support schools in fostering “meaningful interaction” of students from different backgrounds. The fact sheet clarifies that activities that further the objective of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are not prohibited under Title VI, as, “a school or college violates Title VI if it intentionally treats persons differently or otherwise causes them harm because of their race, or if a school or college creates or is responsible for a racially hostile environment.” It clarifies that Title VI does not prohibit activities such as DEI trainings, instruction on the impact of racism, nor cultural competency or other nondiscrimination trainings. Additionally, the fact sheet states that Title VI does not restrict investigations of racial disparities within a school, and the use of specific words in school policies, such as equity, discrimination, inclusion, diversity, or systemic racism, among other terms.

USED releases new data on the benefits of pandemic relief funding for college enrollment: On February 1, USED released new data estimating that more than 18 million college students have received direct financial aid under the American Rescue Plan’s (ARP) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) since the start of 2021. HEERF is a federal program established during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide emergency grants to institutions of higher education to keep programs operating and faculty employed, as well as award some of the funds to directly support students. This estimation includes nearly 6 million community college students, more than 450,000 students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), more than 24,000 students at Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and nearly 8 million students at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The data showed that in 2021, HEERF funds supported 94 percent of students at risk of dropping out in maintaining their enrollment. Data also found that 3 in 4 institutions that were HEERF recipients were able to keep their student net prices similar to pre-pandemic levels, and used the funds to keep students and staff healthy through purchasing COVID tests and providing health screenings. In reflecting on the new data, USED Secretary Miguel Cardona said, “The positive impact of the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments cannot be overstated, especially for students from the communities hit hardest by the pandemic, including our communities of color and low-income urban and rural communities.”

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

HHS launches early childhood workforce center to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts: On February 2, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced a new effort to support the early childhood workforce, named the National Early Care and Education Workforce Center (the ECE Workforce Center). The $30 million investment will “support research and technical assistance for states, communities, territories, and Tribal Nations to improve the recruitment and retention of a diverse and qualified workforce across early care and education programs.” The announcement references the loss of 80,000 jobs in child care during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the significant number of early childhood education professionals who live in poverty due to low wages. The ECE Workforce Center will use research and technical assistance to work toward (1) building a career pipeline for the early care and education workforce, and (2) identifying and implementing sustainable approaches to increase compensation and benefits. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra shared, “HHS is honored to launch this first-of-its-kind research and technical assistance center to support the essential early childhood workforce who partner with families every day to ensure young children have what they need to thrive.”

Congress:

Congressional Republicans introduce legislation to expand school choice options through tax credits: On January 26, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced S. 120 and H.R. 531, respectively, both of which would allow for tax credits to be applied to tuition, fees, book supplies, and equipment for the enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary school. Named the Educational Choice for Children Act, the legislation would provide $10 billion in tax credits annually, and a base amount would be set for each state before then being distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The legislation has 14 co-sponsors in the Senate and 26 in the House, including House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC). Additionally, it received the endorsement of various school choice proponents and religious organizations, including the Invest in Education Coalition, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Home School Legal Defense Association, and former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. In a press release about the legislation, former Secretary DeVos shared, “There couldn’t be a better and more important time for Washington to help expand education freedom to reach millions more students than right now. It’s time for the failing education bureaucracy to get out of the way and empower parents to decide where, when and how their kids will learn best.”

Senate:

Senate Republicans announce members of Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee: On February 1, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced the Senate Republican Conference committee assignments for the 118th Congress, including the members of Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The Republican roster on the Senate HELP Committee will include two new members elected in 2022, Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Ted Budd (R-NC), both of whom previously served in the House, but were not members of the House Education and Labor Committee. Additionally, as previously announced, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) will serve as the Ranking Member of the committee. Returning Republican members include Rand Paul (R-KY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mike Braun (R-IN) Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL). Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), who served on the committee in the 117th Congress, will no longer be members of the committee. The committee assignments have been ratified by the Republican Conference and are expected to be approved by the full Senate soon. Senate Democrats announced HELP Committee membership on January 26, and more information can be found in last week’s E-Update.

House:

House Oversight and Accountability Committee holds a hearing to explore waste, fraud, and abuse related to federal pandemic spending: On February 1, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee held a hearing titled, “Federal Pandemic Spending: A Prescription for Waste, Fraud and Abuse.” The hearing featured testimony from David Smith, Assistant Director, Office of Investigations, United States Secret Service; Michael E. Horowitz, Chair, Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, and Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice; Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, United States Government Accountability Office; and Rebecca Dixon, Executive Director of the National Employment Law Project. House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) used his opening statement to make clear that the hearing, which was the first for the committee under Republican leadership, was a “first step in examining the massive waste, fraud and abuse in COVID relief programs.” Additionally, the Chairman noted, “This Committee will evaluate the hundreds of billions of dollars in grants and loans doled out for nearly every agency in the federal government to ensure those funds were appropriately used to respond to the pandemic and not wasted on ineligible payees or unrelated matters.”

Specifically related to COVID relief funding for education, Chairman Comer stated, “We will investigate the $189 billion in elementary and secondary school emergency relief funds [ESSER] money meant to help reopen schools and address learning loss. Instead, these funds were often used on unrelated expenditures, and even to push divisive ideologies on to our students.” Several Republican committee members raised during the hearing similar questions regarding the use of COVID relief funding for education with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-GA) asking how much COVID funding went toward “diversity, equity and inclusion or racism issues,” including “critical race theory.” Republican Byron Daniels (R-FL) also raised questions surrounding if the COVID emergency ends on May 11 – as has been proposed by President Biden – wanting to understand what would happen to ESSER funds that “are obligated but have not yet transmitted.”

During the hearing, House Oversight and Accountability Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD), along with several Democratic committee members, highlighted efforts to conduct oversight over COVID relief funding while Democrats held the majority, as well as expressed support for the positive impact of the funding. Ranking Member Raskin expressed, “I’m troubled that some of our colleagues seem to want to cherry pick facts and display and deploy distorted figures to attack the underlying legitimacy of the programs themselves. The programs that were a lifeline and salvation for millions of businesses and families across the country.” He went on to say, “Democrats have systematically ferreted out fraud, waste, and abuse [related to] pandemic relief, although we all can certainly be doing a much more effective job.”

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan requests interview with former director National School Boards Association: On January 27, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) sent a letter to former Interim Executive Director and CEO of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Chip Slaven requesting an interview. The letter includes a November 2021 interview request to Slaven in which Jordan, then Ranking Member of the committee, sought information on the use of federal law enforcement at local school board meetings. This request follows oversight inquiries that now-Chairman Jordan sent to seven Biden Administration officials earlier in January, including USED Secretary Miguel Cardona, in which Jordan wrote that USED “colluded” with NSBA and used federal law enforcement “against parents.” Chairman Jordan’s letter to Mr. Slaven states that Slaven has “not complied with or even acknowledged” Jordan’s previous communications, and reiterated the request for a transcribed interview.

New House Education and Workforce Chairwoman Foxx details committee priorities, agenda in interview: On January 27, the new Chairwoman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, Virginia Foxx (R-NC), was interviewed by Politico and discussed her priorities for the next two years, including parental rights, school choice, workforce development, and oversight. As noted in the interview, Foxx received a waiver from the House Republican Steering Committee to allow her to continue to serve as the lead Republican on the Education and Workforce Committee. Republican Conference rules prevent members from serving more than three consecutive terms as chair or ranking member of a particular committee. Under her leadership, Foxx plans an aggressive oversight agenda and has already written to various federal agencies, including the Departments of Education and Labor, requesting information and previewing a number of hearings the committee plans to hold. Foxx also highlighted her support for school choice and her belief that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in renewed interest in alternatives to public schools. She noted the support from newer committee members who “understand the alternatives there are to the bureaucracy and the [impact] the unions have had in the public schools.” In addition to school choice, Foxx talked about her hope to continue to work on a bipartisan reauthorization of the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and noted that the last “WIOA was passed in exactly the same situation we’re in right now. We had a Republican House, a Democratic Senate, and a Democratic president.” The Chairwoman also hopes to make bipartisan progress on allowing federal Pell Grants to be used for short-term programs. Currently students can use Pell Grant funding for programs as short as fifteen weeks, but some, including Foxx, would like additional flexibility for how “short-term” is defined and the types of programs for which Pell Grants can be used.

House Democrats urge Biden Administration to increase early childhood funding: On January 30, Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA) led nearly 70 Democrats in a letter urging U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shalanda Young to increase early childhood spending in the President’s upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget. More specifically, the Congresswoman called on Director Young to fund child care and early learning investments at “no less than the level in the House-passed Build Back Better Act – $390 billion over six years.” The letter notes that while the funding level provided in Build Back Better did not pass in the Senate in 2021, there “remains substantial public momentum to address the child care crisis that is preventing families from finding or affording the care and education that they and their young children need.”

House Education and the Workforce Committee holds an organizational meeting to kickoff its work in the 118^th Congress: On January 31, the House Education and the Workforce Committee held an organizational meeting – the first with Republicans in the majority – for the 118^th Congress. During her opening statement, House Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) noted, “Republicans are committed to protecting the rights of Americans to govern themselves. This starts in breaking up the control Washington has over education.” Chairwoman Foxx then outlined that under Republican leadership the committee intends to improve elementary and secondary education noting that “the pandemic gave us a window into just how broken our K-12 education system is;” address “the broken student loan system;” strengthen workforce development to “close our nation’s skills gap and prepare the next generation of workers for our evolving economy;” and strengthen and expand access to employer-sponsored health insurance. House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) used his opening statement to note, “In the 118th Congress, I remain committed to working with every Member of this Committee to achieve the goals we share – ensuring that all people across this nation have access to quality education, good-paying jobs, and affordable health care.”

Committee members then went on to adopt the committee rules and oversight package for the 118^th Congress. For the 118^th Congress, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education will be chaired by Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL) with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) serving as Ranking Member; the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will be chaired by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) with Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) serving as Ranking Member; the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions will be chaired by Rep. Bob Good (R-VA) with Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) serving as Ranking Member; and the Subcommittee on Workforce Protection will be chaired by Kevin Kiley (R-CA) with Rep. Alma Adams (R-NC) serving as Ranking Member. In the 118^th Congress, there will no longer be a Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. Regarding the oversight plan, the committee’s identified priority areas for oversight and investigation in the 118th Congress, include student loans; student aid; preserving the First Amendment on campus; monitoring the use of COVID relief funds; implementation of Title IX; workforce development programs; anti-poverty programs; child abuse and treatment; and child nutrition.

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro announces Democratic subcommittee members, including Labor and Health and Human Services Subcommittee: On January 31, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) announced the Democratic members who will serve on the House Appropriations Committee’s twelve subcommittees in the 118th Congress, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor/HHS) Subcommittee. As expected, Representative DeLauro will continue to serve as Ranking Member, and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who has served on the committee in the past, has been added. The Democratic members of the subcommittee include Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Josh Harder (D-CA). Former Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), and Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) served on the subcommittee in the previous Congress and retired in 2022. Announcing the subcommittee members, Ranking Member DeLauro shared, “Each of us may represent vastly different districts with unique challenges, but we are united in our desire to help hardworking families struggling to make ends meet and to protect our nation from all threats.”

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro pens op-ed outlining predatory practices of online program management companies: On January 31, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) wrote an op-ed in Higher Ed Dive outlining the predatory practices of online program management companies (OPMs). Ranking Member DeLauro included examples of how OPMs have misled students as to the value of their education and encouraged students to take out federal student loans, which, in one case, resulted in a lawsuit against the University of Southern California and for-profit OPM 2U. The op-ed also references a letter that Democratic lawmakers sent to USED Secretary Miguel Cardona in December 2022, urging the Department to increase its oversight of OPMs. Ranking Member DeLauro concluded the op-ed recommending that USED rescind 2011 subregulatory guidance that contains a loophole allowing for tuition-sharing agreements between universities and harmful OPMs, and “enforce commonsense aspects” of the guidance that still provides the opportunity for universities to contract with independent, non-decision-making entities.

House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx cosponsors reintroduction of legislation requiring athletes to participate in sports in accordance with their biological sex: On February 1, House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Congressman Greg Steube (R-FL), along with 14 House Republicans reintroduced H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would require that athletes compete in sports in accordance with their biological sex. According to the fact sheet accompanying the bill, institutions that “allow a person whose sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women or girls” would violate Title IX’s prohibition against sex discrimination. Moreover, the fact sheet states that “sex in the athletic context must be recognized based only on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth” and the bill would “level [the] playing field for female athletes.”

Upcoming Events (Congress & Administration):

• On February 7 at 9:00 pm, President Joe Biden will deliver the State of the Union address. As is custom, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy invited President Biden to deliver the State of the Union address on February 7. A copy of the invitation letter is here. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) will deliver the Republican response.
• On February 8 at 10:15 am, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a hearing titled, “American Education in Crisis.” In a press release issued on February 1, Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) indicated that the hearing will discuss the state of K-12 and postsecondary education. Witnesses have not yet been announced. The hearing will be held in 2175 Rayburn House Office Building and livestreamed on the committee’s YouTube page. More information, as it becomes available, will be here.
• On February 9 at 10:00 am, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee will hold an organizational meeting for the 118th Congress in 430 Dirksen Senate Office Building. More information is here.
• From February 28 from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm and March 1 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Office of Postsecondary Education’s National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI or Committee) will host an open meeting. Among other agenda items, the Committee will review applications for institutional accreditation and elect a new committee chairperson and vice-chairperson. More information is here.

Upcoming Events (Outside Organizations):

• On February 7 at 3:00 pm, the RAND Corporation and the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) will host a webinar titled, “Understanding How School Districts are Responding to Political Polarization.” The webinar will explore findings from a recent survey issued to teachers and district leaders about political polarization in schools. More specifically, the hosts will discuss where political polarization is taking the largest toll on educators, what districts have done to reduce polarization, and recommendations for state and district leaders. More information and registration here.
• On February 9 at 2:00 pm, the Hunt Institute will host a webinar titled, “Education for the Real World: Strengthening Access to Work-Based Learning Opportunities.” The webinar will present ways that states and districts can ensure Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs are accessible for historically underrepresented students. Panelists include Dr. Charlotte Cahill, Senior Director at Jobs for the Future; Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education; and Nithya Govindasamy, Senior Advisor at Advance CTE. More information and registration here.

Publications (Congress & Administration):

• On January 30, the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), part of the National Science Foundation, released a new report titled, “Diversity and STEM: Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities 2023.” The report shows that while more women, as well as Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native people collectively worked in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) jobs over the past decade, those groups, as well as people with disabilities, remain underrepresented in the field. Additionally, data showed that women earned half of science and engineering bachelor’s degrees and associate’s degrees, though only represented about one-third of the STEM workforce, and their wages were consistently lower than men’s.
• On January 31, the Institute for Education Sciences released a new report titled, “High School Counseling and College Financial Aid.” The report data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09), which was collected through surveys of ninth-graders between 2009 and 2016, and the Postsecondary Education Transcript Study and Student Financial Aid Records Collection (PETS-SR), which analyzes college transcripts and financial aid records from 2017–18. The report aimed to find whether students who planned to go to college also met with a high school counselor about financial aid, and addresses whether students who enrolled in college also received aid. Key findings showed that there was not a causal relationship between meeting with a counselor and receiving financial aid for college, and that further research is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms.
• On February 2, the National Student Clearinghouse published a new report titled, “Current Term Enrollment Estimates: Fall 2022 Expanded Edition.” Data from the report showed that undergraduate enrollment stabilized in Fall 2022, decreasing by 0.6 percent or about 94,000 students compared to fall 2021, though enrollment remains down about 1.23 million below pre-pandemic levels. Freshman enrollment increased by 4.3 percent from fall 2021, though still down about 150,000 compared to 2019. Though total enrollment numbers decreased, Latino/a and Asian students increased 1.6 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. The report includes more detailed data on enrollment trends by race, ethnicity, and gender.

Publications (Outside Organizations):

• On January 22, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) released a new report titled, “Pell Dollars Left on the Table – Class of 2022.” The analysis showed that though 47 percent of the high school class of 2022 were eligible for Pell Grants, 44 percent of the class did not submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, $3.58 billion in Pell Grants were unclaimed, and the average Pell Grant award for class of 2022 graduates was $4,686. The report notes that FAFSA completion is strongly associated with postsecondary enrollment and increased state support for FAFSA completion would benefit students and families.
• On January 31, Public Agenda released a new report titled, “Who Profits? Students’ Experiences at For-Profit Colleges.” Analyzing survey results from 595 for-profit college attendees and 406 community college students, responses showed that only 23 percent of for-profit college attendees believe that more expensive colleges provide a better education. About one-third of for-profit college attendees prioritized affordability when choosing a college, and just 38 percent of for-profit college alumni indicated that their degrees were worth the cost. Generally, though, 83 percent of for-profit attendees indicated that they were satisfied with their college.

Legislation:

Introduced in the House of Representatives:

H.R. 531
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against tax for charitable donations to nonprofit organizations providing education scholarships to qualified elementary and secondary students.
Sponsor: Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE)

H.R. 543
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the reimbursement of continuing professional education expenses for health care professionals of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Sponsor: Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA)

H.R. 571
A bill to allow Federal funds appropriated for kindergarten through grade 12 education to follow the student.
Sponsor: Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX)

H.R. 602
A bill to amend the VA MISSION Act of 2018 to expand the veterans healing veterans medical access and scholarship program to include more students and schools.
Sponsor: Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR)

H.R. 603
A bill to require a study on Holocaust education efforts of States, local educational agencies, and public elementary and secondary schools, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)

H.R. 609
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a refundable credit against income tax for tuition expenses incurred for each qualifying child of the taxpayer in attending public or private elementary or secondary school.
Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ)

H.R. 631
A bill to allow a State to submit a declaration of intent to the Secretary of Education to combine certain funds to improve the academic achievement of students.
Sponsor: Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI)

H.R. 644
A bill to protect borrowers of Federal student loans during the transition period following the end of the COVID-19 student loan repayment pause, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)

H.R. 653
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to award grants to eligible entities to establish, expand, or support school-based mentoring programs to assist at-risk middle school students with the transition from middle school to high school.
Sponsor: Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN)

H.R. 654
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, to add a work-study program for off-campus community service at selected after-school activities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN)

H.R. 656
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include child development and early learning as community services under the Federal work-study program.
Sponsor: Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)

H.R. 657
A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to clarify the career services provided to adults and dislocated workers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)

H.R. 658
A bill to direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to eligible entities to carry out or expand youth apprenticeship programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX)

H.R. 684
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit the award of Federal funds to institutions of higher education that employ instructors funded by the Chinese Communist Party, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL)

H.R. 699
A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to authorize a study to review specific outcomes of entrepreneurial skills development programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA)

H.R. 703
A bill to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to carry out educational programs that include the history of peoples of African descent in the settling and founding of America, the economic and political environments that led to the development, institutionalization, and abolition of slavery and its impact on all Americans, the exploration and expansion of America, impact on and contributions to the development and enhancement of American life, United States history, literature, the economy, politics, body of laws, and culture, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH)

H.R. 734
A bill to amend the Education Amendments of 1972 to provide that for purposes of determining compliance with title IX of such Act in athletics, sex shall be recognized based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
Sponsor: Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL)

H.R. 736
A bill to require elementary and middle schools that receive Federal funds to obtain parental consent before changing a minor child’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or allowing a child to change the child’s sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI)

H.R. 744
A bill to address behavioral health and well-being among education professionals and other school staff.
Sponsor: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)

H.R. 745
A bill to allow the use of unspent educational funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to address pandemic learning loss through Child Opportunity Scholarships.
Sponsor: Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT)

H.R. 765
A bill to authorize the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support African American history education programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY)

H.R. 770
A bill to establish eligibility requirements for education support professionals and school support staff under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL)

H.R. 793
A bill to extend Federal Pell Grant eligibility of certain short-term programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH)

H.R. 794
A bill to eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine and mask requirement in head start programs.
Sponsor: Rep. David Joyce (R-OH)

H.R. 819
A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act with respect to the types of milk offered under the school lunch program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)

H.R. 822
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants to eligible entities to establish or maintain a student mental health and safety helpline, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT)

Introduced in the Senate:

S. 136
A bill to provide a consumer protection framework necessary to support the growth of accessible, affordable, and accountable financing options for postsecondary education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)

S. 161
A bill to extend the Federal Pell Grant eligibility of certain short-term programs.
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)

S. 182
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to award grants to eligible entities to establish, expand, or support school-based mentoring programs to assist at-risk middle school students with the transition from middle school to high school.
Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

S. 183
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965, to add a work-study program for off-campus community service at selected after-school activities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

S. 193
A bill to amend title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect students from racial hostility, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)

S. 200
A bill to require elementary and middle schools that receive Federal funds to obtain parental consent before changing a minor child’s gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or allowing a child to change the child’s sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)

S. 205
A bill to promote minimum State requirements for the prevention and treatment of concussions caused by participation in school sports, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)

S. 226
A bill to establish eligibility requirements for education support professionals and school support staff under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)

S. 233
A bill to authorize the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support African American history education programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)

S. 236
A bill to direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to develop, administer, and evaluate early childhood education apprenticeships, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)

S. 239
A bill to reauthorize title VI of the Higher Education Act of 1965 in order to improve and encourage innovation in international education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)

S. 249
A bill to promote registered apprenticeships, including registered apprenticeships within in-demand industry sectors, through the support of workforce intermediaries, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)

S. 266
A bill to expand opportunity through greater choice in education, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)

S. 268
A bill to assist States in carrying out projects to expand the child care workforce and child care facilities in the States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

S.Res. 25
A resolution recognizing January 2023 as “National Mentoring Month”.
Sponsor: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)