E-Update for June 12, 2015
EducationCounsel E-Update for June 12, 2015
It is widely anticipated that the Every Child Achieves Act will go to the Senate Floor for debate this month, possibly as early as the week of June 15. In addition, the House bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Student Success Act, may go to the House floor as early as next week. Also, The House LHHS Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a bill next Wednesday at 9:00 am, which means the bill and a summary press release will be posted by Tuesday morning.
U.S Department of Education
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan Calls for Increasing Access to High Quality Early Learning: Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Reps. Richard Hanna (R-NY) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) wrote an opinion piece highlighting that the U.S. lags behind the world when it comes to preschool enrollment and preschool quality. The piece also advocated for the passage of the Strong Start for America’s Children Act, a bipartisan bill that would give states the resources they need to ensure quality preschool for all 4-year-olds from low- to moderate-income families.
June 9, 2015
U.S. Department of Education Releases Fact Sheet on Protecting Students from Abusive Career Colleges: The U.S. Department of Education released a fact sheet outlining the new debt relief process for students who attended schools owned by Corinthian Colleges’ Inc. The Department’s aim is to make the process of forgiving loans fair, clear and efficient—and to ensure that students who are eligible to participate know about this opportunity.
June 8, 2015
Congressional Headlines
Bipartisan “Do Not Track Kids” Act Introduced in the Senate: Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representatives Joe Barton (R-TX) and Bobby Rush (D-IL) introduced the Do Not Track Kids Act, comprehensive children’s online privacy legislation. The legislation updates the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA) by expanding and enhancing rules for the collection, use and disclosure of children’s personal information. The legislation establishes new protections for personal information of children and teens, including extending protections to teens ages 13 to 15 by prohibiting Internet companies from collecting personal and location information from teens without their consent. The Do Not Track Kids Act also creates an “Eraser Button” so parents and children can eliminate publicly-available personal information, when technologically feasible. The bill is available here.
June 11, 2015
Events
On June 15, the Department of Education will host a sneak preview screening of the film, “The Raising of America.” The documentary explores how a strong start for all kids can lead to a healthier and more equitable America. After the viewing, a panel of senior leaders in the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services will lead a discussion on the film. Learn more about the film here. RSVP here.
On June 16, KIPP will host a discussion where attendees can hear from recent KIPP alumni about their experiences in college and university. To RSVP, email Corinne Coxx.
On June 17, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee will hold a meeting to mark up the FY 2016 Appropriations bill. The meeting will be held at 9AM in room 2358-C of the Rayburn House Office Building. The notice is available here.
On June 17, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act: Evaluating Accreditation’s Role in Ensuring Quality.” The hearing will take place at 10AM in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. More information is available here.
On June 17, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “Child Nutrition Assistance: Are Federal Rules and Regulations Serving the Best Interests of Schools and Families?” The hearing will take place at 10AM in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building. More information is available here.
On June 17, Focus First will host an evening event where panelists discuss removing barriers to identifying and implementing evidence-based solutions aiming to reduce educational inequity. Topics will include evidence-based home visits as well as high quality childcare and preschool. Register here.
On June 17, the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training will host a panel to discuss the intersection of technology and special education. Attendees will be able to hear testimony from experts in the field and listen to an explanation of the data results related to special education and technology in the classroom. To RSVP, email Ally Bernstein.
On June 18, America Forward will host a briefing entitled, “Pay for Success: Federal Policy Opportunities to Advance Outcomes-Based Practice.” The bipartisan briefing will focus on the federal role in advancing “Pay for Success,” a funding approach where government pays for services if a program gets results, with a special focus on the bi-partisan, bi-cameral Social Impact Partnership (SIP) Act. There will be a question and answer session after the briefing. RSVP here.
New Legislation
H.R.2692 : Reimburse Educators who Pay for Academic Year Supplies Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep Beatty, Joyce [OH-3] (introduced 6/9/2015) Cosponsors (15)
H.R.2703 : Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [MD-2] (introduced 6/9/2015) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.2713 : To amend title VIII of the Public Health Service Act to extend advanced education nursing grants to support clinical nurse specialist programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Capps, Lois [CA-24] (introduced 6/10/2015) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.2714 : To provide for youth jobs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-13] (introduced 6/10/2015) Cosponsors (7)
H.R.2715 : To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish a permanent, nationwide summer electronic benefits transfer for children program.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] (introduced 6/10/2015) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.2720 : To require institutions of higher education to report annually on the use of race, color, or national origin in the admissions process.
Sponsor: Rep King, Steve [IA-4] (introduced 6/10/2015) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.2721 : To strengthen and expand proven anti-poverty programs and initiatives.
Sponsor: Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-13] (introduced 6/10/2015) Cosponsors (39)
S.1542 : A bill to establish a program that promotes reforms in workforce education and skill training for manufacturing in States and metropolitan areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Coons, Christopher A. [DE] (introduced 6/10/2015) Cosponsors (1)
Publications
National Association of State Boards of Education Policy Update: Trends in State Legislative Action on Student Data Privacy: The National Association of State Boards of Education published a policy update which examines the surge in state legislation on student data privacy this year. The document notes key features of legislation across the states and highlights exemplar legislation.
June 11, 2015