E-Update for January 30, 2023
The information covered below is from January 20 to 27.
Highlights:
- On January 24, U.S. Department of Education (USED) Secretary Miguel Cardona gave an address outlining the priorities of the Department for the year ahead.
- On January 25, USED’s Fiscal Year 2022 Agency Financial Report was issued, in which auditing firm KPMG found that USED did not provide substantial evidence of the cost of the Biden Administration’s federal student loan forgiveness proposal.
- On January 25, leading Education and the Workforce Committee Republicans introduced R. 496, which expands Pell Grant eligibility to short-term workforce training programs.
Administration:
U.S. Department of Education (USED):
USED Secretary Cardona announces Department priorities in beginning of year address: On January 24, USED Secretary Cardona gave an address, outlining the priorities of the Department for the year ahead. The speech, titled, “Raise the Bar: Lead the World,” named six focus areas the Department identified as opportunities to raise the bar for students. Regarding academic excellence, USED intends to focus on 1) accelerating learning for every student, and 2) delivering a comprehensive and rigorous education for every student. In the area of boldly improving learning conditions, attention will be placed on 3) eliminating the educator shortage for every school, and 4) investing in every student’s mental health and well-being. To prepare students for a world of global competitiveness, USED will emphasize 5) ensuring every student has a pathway to college and career, and 6) providing every student a pathway to multilingualism. USED Secretary Cardona also expressed his belief that “we have to center our work on what we know really matters: engaging students, effective teaching, and quality content…or the Instructional Core,” rather than rolling out a new initiative “promising to ‘fix’ education.”
Following the speech, USED Secretary Cardona sat with Executive Director of the National Parent Teacher Association Nathan Monell for a fireside chat. Monell asked about the Secretary’s comments pertaining to “substance not sensationalism.” During the speech, the Secretary said, “This Administration is about substance, not sensationalism in education. It’s about real solutions to complex issues, informed by real experience – with an unrelenting focus on the instructional core.” Cardona responded by highlighting specific funding programs and policies that the Administration has implemented, including the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and federal student loan forgiveness, particularly through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). In discussing strategies to involve parents and families in supporting students, Secretary Cardona underlined the importance of authentic and regular engagement with parents and how a “reset” is vital to family engagement post-pandemic. He added that “intentional collaboration [is] required,” and state and local systems should work to remove barriers and silos between agencies to engage thoughtfully in support of students. A recording of the event can be found here.
USED’s annual audit finds inadequate amount of evidence to calculate cost of Biden Administration’s federal student loan forgiveness proposal: On January 25, USED’s Fiscal Year 2022 Agency Financial Report was issued, in which auditing firm KPMG found that USED did not provide substantial evidence of the cost of the Biden Administration’s federal student loan forgiveness proposal. The report included a “Disclaimer of Opinion,” from KPMG which stated that USED, “management was unable to provide adequate evidential matter to support certain key assumptions used to estimate the subsidy costs.” Auditors found problems with that the Department’s estimation of the number of borrowers who would participate in the debt relief program. According to Politico, USED officials responded and cited “information available at the time” in their estimated 81 percent take-up rate of the loan forgiveness proposal. (Note: A subscription to Politico Pro is required to view the article.) This estimation differs from that of the Congressional Budget Office, which projected 90 percent of eligible borrowers would apply for the debt cancellation. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) called the report a “sham,” adding that, “The Department is blatantly lying about how much taxpayer money it is giving away.”
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announces nearly $300 million in Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five (PDG B-5 across 42 states: On January 26, ACF announced $300 million in funding for PDG B-5 in 42 states. PDG B-5 funds provide support to states to invest in strategies that improve early learning experiences for young children. These grants include both one-year planning grants and three-year renewal grants that states can use for a range of services, including supporting the early childhood workforce, integrated mental health services, and improved coordination that make programs easier for families to access. Of the awards announced, 21 states received one-year planning grants, while 21 states received three-year renewal grants. Announcing the awards, ACF Assistant Secretary January Contreras shared, “[PDG B-5] awards allow states and territories the opportunity to invest in holistic early childhood systems that meet the unique needs of families where they are.” More information on PDG B-5 grants is here.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency releases report on strengthening K-12 cybersecurity: On January 24, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a report that assessed and made recommendations to strengthen cybersecurity systems in K-12 education. The report, titled, “Protecting Our Future: Partnering to Safeguard K-12 Organizations from Cybersecurity Threats,” was required as part of a 2021 bipartisan bill to enhance K-12 cybersecurity. Key findings from the report showed that K-12 entities have limited resources to invest in cybersecurity, but small investments like multi-factor authentication and exercising incident response plans can be impactful. CISA also recommended that cybersecurity risk management should be “elevated as a top priority” for K-12 administrators and superintendents, and that leaders should work creatively with technology providers to find low-cost solutions.
U.S. Department of Housing (HUD):
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announces $5.5 million in funding opportunity for Hispanic Serving Institutions: On January 20, HUD announced that it will issue $5.5 million in grant funding to Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to establish research Centers of Excellence (COEs) to conduct housing and community development research. The research topics will be aligned with HUD’s 2022-2026 Learning agenda, and include equity in the rental and housing markets, connecting underserved community to economic opportunities, quality education, and affordable transportation. The grant requires that the COEs take a “multidisciplinary approach” to the research through “innovative methods” that will inform how to create healthy communities. It writes, “Ultimately, the purpose of the COE should be to influence policy at the local, state, and national levels, providing evidence-based innovative approaches to community development.
Congress:
Senate:
Senate Majority Leader Schumer announces Democratic committee membership for the 118th Congress, including one new member of Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee: On January 26, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced the Democratic membership of Senate committees for the 118th Congress, including the Senate HELP Committee. The Democratic roster of the Senate HELP Committee will include one new member, Senator Edward Markey (D-MA), who previously served in the Senate, but was not a member of the committee. Additionally, as previously announced, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), will chair the Senate HELP committee. Returning Democratic committee members from the 117th Congress include Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Robert Casey (D-PA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO). Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) who served on the committee in the 117th Congress, will no longer be a member of the committee. Senate Republicans have not yet announced membership for committees in the 118th Congress.
House:
House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx announces 23 Republican members of the committee for the 118th Congress, including 9 new members: On January 25, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) announced the 23 Republican members of the committee for the 118th Congress, including eight freshman members and Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), who previously served in the House, but was not a member of the committee. The new freshman members of the committee include Representatives Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Aaron Bean (R-FL), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), John James (R-MI), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Brandon Williams (R-NY), and Eric Houchin (R-IN). Returning Republican committee members from the 117th Congress include Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rick Allen (R-GA), Jim Banks (R-IN), James Comer (R-KY), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Bob Good (R-VA), Lisa McClain (R-MI), Mary Miller (R-IL), and Michelle Steel (R-CA). Of note, according to an analysis by CQ, the committee lost 10 Republicans from last Congress, including six that remain in Congress — Representatives Russ Fulcher (R-ID), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Victoria Spartz (R-IN), Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), and Brad Finstad (R-MN). (Note: A subscription to CQ is required to view the article). Additionally, the committee could include up to 25 Republicans, with two members yet to possibly be named. Chairwoman Foxx added, “I am excited to see such a strong crop of Members join this Committee for the 118th Congress. They will bring invaluable insight and real-world experience to the table. America’s families, students, and workforce are in good hands.”
House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott announces 20 Democratic committee members: On January 27, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) announced the 20 Democratic members of the committee for the 118th Congress, all of whom served on the committee in the 117th Congress. The members include Representatives Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-NMI), Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mark Takano (D-CA), Alma S. Adams (D-NC), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Susan Wild (D-PA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Kathy E. Manning (D-NC), Frank J. Mrvan (D-IN), and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). During the 117th Congress, the Democratic membership of the committee included 28 Democrats, when Democrats were in the majority in the House. Seven Democrats who previously served on the committee that are still in Congress include Representatives Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD). In the announcement, Ranking Member Scott shared, “The Committee’s Democratic Members reflect a broad cross-section of America. They include educators, labor advocates, parents, business owners, and civil rights leaders.” Scott added, “I look forward to getting into some ‘good trouble’ with my colleagues on behalf of the American people.”
House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx urges the need for freedom of school choice as part of School Choice Week led by Republicans: On January 25, House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) spoke at the National School Choice Week Rally in Washington, D.C. “It is time to apply our most fundamental principle—freedom—to our most fundamental system—education. … I have never been more optimistic about educational freedom than I am today.” Chairwoman Foxx also spoke about decreasing enrollment in traditional public schools and increased enrollment in private and charter schools, as well as homeschooling. She added, “Our children need a solid foundation. So, let’s provide them with the best one we have: freedom.” A video of the speech is here.
Leading House Education and Workforce Committee Republicans introduce legislation to increase access to Pell Grants for workforce training: On January 25, House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), and Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson (R-PA), introduced H.R. 496, which expands Pell Grant eligibility to short-term workforce training programs. Named the “Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act,” the legislation would create a Workforce Pell Grant, which would allow the use of Pell Grants for high-quality, short-term programs that provide for fast-paced job training. Additionally, H.R. 496 describes clear requirements for skill-based training programs and allows all education providers to participate as long as they meet certain requirements, including that students will be qualified to work following program completion. According to the press release, H.R. 496 would also ensure program prices are aligned with economic value so students and taxpayers receive a positive return on investment within three years or less. The legislation would also require USED to publish program costs and outcomes on the College Scorecard to create more transparency about high-quality programs for students and families. A section-by-section summary of H.R. 496 is here.
House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger announces subcommittee members: On January 27, House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) announced the members of each appropriations subcommittee, including the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor/HHS) Subcommittee. Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL) was named Chairman of the House Labor/HHS Subcommittee on January 16, which is responsible for the largest pool of non-defense government spending in the entire federal budget, including funding for the U.S. Department of Education (USED). New additions to the subcommittee roster are Representatives Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Jake LaTurner (R-KS), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ). Returning members include Representatives Mike Simpson (R-ID), Andy Harris (R-MD), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Julia Letlow (R-LA). Representative Tom Cole (R-OH), who previously served as Ranking Member of the Labor/HHS Subcommittee, will no longer serve on the Subcommittee, as well as Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) will not be returning to the Labor/HHS Subcommittee.
Upcoming Events (Congress & Administration):
- On January 31 at 2:00 pm, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold an organizational meeting for the 118th Congress in 2175 Rayburn House Office Building. More information is here.
- On February 1 at 10:00 am, the House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Federal Pandemic Spending: A Prescription for Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.” Witnesses have not yet been announced. More information is here.
- On February 7 at 9:00 pm, President Joe Biden will deliver the State of the Union address. 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.
- 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. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct a review of certain applications for renewal of recognition and compliance reports. Additionally, the committee will discuss relevant policy issues and elect a new chairperson and a new vice-chairperson for the committee. More information is here.
Upcoming Events (Outside Organizations):
- On January 30 at 7:00 pm, the Federalist Society will host an event titled, “On Academia and the Threat to Free Speech.” The in-person event will feature Ilya Shapiro, Senior Fellow and Director of Constitutional Studies at the Manhattan Institute, who will discuss how education policy intersects with free speech and election law. More information and registration here.
- On January 31 at 3:00 pm, the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading will host a webinar titled, “Smart ESSER Investments: Leveraging EdTech for Equitable Learning Acceleration.” District leaders will share how they are applying the best science and ideas to inform their American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief (ESSER) investments. Presenters include Shawn Bird, Ed.D., Houston Independent School District, Texas; Leigh Ann Bradshaw, Ed.D., Orange County Public Schools, Florida; and Sophia Mendoza, Los Angeles Unified School District, California. Moderator: Anna Edwards, Whiteboard Advisors. More information and registration here.
- On January 31 at 4:00 pm, American University and the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) will host an in-person event titled, “More than Words: Free Expression, Responsibility and Inclusion In Higher Education.” Higher education leaders will discuss the complexities of creating a campus community and culture of free inquiry and speech while building an inclusive climate. American University President Sylvia M. Burwell will host the event and Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill, Director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Campus Free Expression Project, will moderate the discussion. Panelists include Taffye Benson Clayton, Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity at Auburn University, and Ronald Daniels, President of Johns Hopkins University. More information and registration here.
- On February 2 at 2:00 pm, the Council for a Strong America will host a briefing titled, “The Growing, Annual Cost of the Infant-Toddler Child Care Crisis.” The briefing will discuss a new report of the same name, and a panel will discuss implications of the child care crisis on the modern workforce. The briefing will take place in-person at 2075 Rayburn House Office Building, and more information and registration here.
Publications (Outside Organizations):
- On January 23, the Brookings Institution published a new report titled, “College enrollment disparities: Understanding the role of academic preparation.” Authors used the High School Longitudinal Survey (HSLS 2009) to estimate college enrollment gaps by gender, race, and socioeconomic status and gaps among students with similar academic preparation—measured by student test scores, high school grades, and course-taking. Findings show that college enrollment and degree attainment varies significantly across students’ socioeconomic status, gender, and race, and that gaps are smaller and sometimes reversed among students with similar academic preparation. Authors recommend that academic preparation should be a key focus for policymakers interested in addressing enrollment disparities.
- On January 24, All4Ed released a new series of reports titled, “Understanding and Improving Title I of ESEA.” The reports provide background on how funding under Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) supports districts and schools with high concentrations of children from low-income backgrounds. Researchers analyze whether the Title I funding formula adequately addresses the needs of students and families, and present potential policy solutions to improve how Title I funds are distributed to help the program fulfill its purpose to support students living in concentrations of poverty.
- On January 25, the RAND Corporation published a new report titled, “Walking on Eggshells—Teachers’ Responses to Classroom Limitations on Race- or Gender-Related Topics: Findings from the 2022 American Instructional Resources Survey.” The report studied the extent to which teachers experienced and were influenced by limitations in their instruction of race- and gender-related topics. Teachers indicated that they experienced more state-level limitations than district-level, though only 30 percent of teachers in states with restrictions reported them as being in place. Survey respondents showed that teachers’ responses to enacted limitations varied from resistance to changing their instructional practices to align with restrictions. The report made several recommendations, including that state and district leaders should collaborate with teachers when developing policies and guidance so that teacher perspectives are integrated.
Legislation:
Introduced in the House of Representatives:
H.R. 435
A bill to prohibit the award of Federal funds to an institution of higher education that hosts or is affiliated with a student-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to students of the institution or to employees of the institution or site, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX)
H.R. 452
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow parents of eligible military dependent children to establish Military Education Savings Accounts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN)
H.R. 460
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide additional amounts of loan forgiveness to teachers of English learners and teachers of bilingual and dual language immersion students, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY)
H.R. 463
A bill to have education funds follow the student.
Sponsor: Rep. Bob Good (R-VA)
H.R. 479
A bill to amend title IV of the Social Security Act to target additional child care funds by allocating to States based on the number of children in poverty, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV)
H.R. 496
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend Federal Pell Grant eligibility to certain short-term workforce programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY)
H.R. 502
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN)
H.R. 509
A bill to prevent class-based loan forgiveness for Federal student loans under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 without the explicit appropriation of funds by Congress for such purpose.
Sponsor: Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH)
H.R. 511
A bill to assist States in, and pay for the Federal share of the cost of, defraying the cost of pre-apprenticeships or related instruction associated with qualified apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
H.R. 525
A bill to amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to give the Department of Education the authority to award competitive grants to eligible entities to establish, expand, or support school-based mentoring programs to assist at-risk students in middle school and high school in developing cognitive and social-emotional skills to prepare them for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce.
Sponsor: Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
H.R. 539
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand school choice opportunities for children of active duty members of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Sponsor: Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
H.R. 570
A bill to prohibit the award of Federal funds to schools that promote certain race-based theories to students, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX)
H.Res. 51
A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of January 22 through January 28, 2023, as “National School Choice Week.”
Sponsor: Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI)
H.Res. 54
A resolution affirming the role of the United States in improving access to quality, inclusive public education and improving learning outcomes for children and adolescents, particularly for girls, around the world.
Sponsor: Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY)
H.Res. 59
A resolution recognizing January 2023 as “National Mentoring Month.”
Sponsor: Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
Introduced in the Senate:
S. 16
A bill to prohibit the award of Federal funds to an institution of higher education that hosts or is affiliated with a student-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to students of the institution or to employees of the institution or site, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)
S. 56
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish tax credits to encourage individual and corporate taxpayers to contribute to scholarships for students through eligible scholarship-granting organizations and eligible workforce training organizations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
S. 57
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit kindergarten through grade 12 educational expenses to be paid from a 529 account.
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
S. 60
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow parents of eligible military dependent children to establish Military Education Savings Accounts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
S. 65
A bill to amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to give the Department of Education the authority to award competitive grants to eligible entities to establish, expand, or support school-based mentoring programs to assist at-risk students in middle school and high school in developing cognitive and social-emotional skills to prepare them for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce.
Sponsor: Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
S. 72
A bill to prevent class-based loan forgiveness for Federal student loans under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 without the explicit appropriation of funds by Congress for such purpose.
Sponsor: Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL)
S. 81
A bill to provide a moratorium on all Federal research grants provided to any institution of higher education or other research institute that is conducting gain-of-function research.
Sponsor: Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS)
S. 83
A bill to assist States in, and pay for the Federal share of the cost of, defraying the cost of pre-apprenticeships or related instruction associated with qualified apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
S. 105
A bill to have education funds follow the student.
Sponsor: Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
S. 110
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: Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT)
S. 120
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: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
S.Res. 11
A resolution designating the week of January 22 through January 28, 2023, as “National School Choice Week.”
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)
S.Res. 17
A resolution supporting the contributions of Catholic schools in the United States.
Sponsor: Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)