E-Update for March 27, 2015
E-Update for March 27, 2015
Updates
Following House passage of a Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Resolution by a vote of 228-199 on March 25, the Senate followed suit and passed their Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Resolution by a vote of 52-46 in the early hours of March 27. The Senate considered dozens of amendments to the budget as part of the “vote-a-rama” section of the budget process, including a number of education amendments. Notably, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) offered an amendment to increase taxes to fund pre-school programs, which failed by a roll call vote of 54-46. In addition, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) offered an amendment, the “Local Control of Education Act,” which would prohibit the federal government from mandating, incentivizing, or coercing states to adopt specific academic standards, including the Common Core standards, curriculum, or assessments. Sen. Vitter’s amendment was adopted by a vote of 52-46. It is important to note that amendments to a budget resolution are essentially statements of policy and thus would require further legislative action.
Events
On March 31, the Alliance for Excellent Education and the Center for American Progress will host a congressional staff-only briefing titled, “Effective School Turnaround: What the Research Says and How ESEA Can Accelerate School Improvement.” The event will feature the following: Tiffany Miller, Director of Education Policy, Center for American Progress; Elaine Allensworth, Managing Director, University of Chicago Urban Education Institute; Robert Balfanz, Research Professor, Center for Social Organization of Schools, Johns Hopkins University School of Education; and others. The event will take place 1-2pm in Room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
On March 31, Brown Center on Education Policy will host an event examining the evidence on noncognitive skills and alternative approaches for policymakers seeking to incorporate them into K-12 education policy. The event will feature two presentations that provide case studies of these approaches in practice and will feature expert commentators who will respond to the presentations and offer their perspectives on the research base and policy considerations. Register here.
On March 31, Educational Testing Service (ETS) will host a presentation on a new ETS report, “America’s Skills Challenge: Millennials and the Future.” A panel of respondents – including Elizabeth Baylor, Associate Director of Postsecondary Education, Center for American Progress; Robert Pondiscio, Senior Fellow and Vice President for External Affairs, Thomas B. Fordham Institute; and Judy Mortrude, Director, Alliance for Quality Career Pathways, CLASP – will follow the report presentation with a lively discussion of the impact of these data on higher education, the workforce, and the future of the United States. Register here.
On March 31, the Center for American Progress will host an event titled, “Inside the Labyrinth: Undocumented Students in Higher Education.” Felicia Escobar, Special Assistant to the President for Immigration Policy, will provide opening remarks. The panel will include: Dr. Daniel Porterfield, President, Franklin & Marshall College; Laura Bohórquez, Coordinator, Dream Education Empowerment Program at United We Dream; Dr. Robert Teranishi, Co-Director, Institute for Immigration, Globalization, and Education at the University of California, Los Angeles; and Catalina Adorno, Student and Organizer at New Jersey Youth for Immigrant Liberation. Register at 202-741-6349.
U.S Department of Education
Secretary Highlights Funding Concerns in ESEA Reauthorization: Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited Edwin M. Stanton Elementary in Philadelphia to highlight the need to support teachers and students by investing in the nation’s schools. Secretary Duncan reiterated recent statements calling on Congress to close the federal loophole that allows districts to allocate funds inequitably.
March 20, 2015
Congressional Headlines
Alexander Seeks Input from Higher Ed Community on Accreditation, Risk Sharing, and Consumer Information: Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released three staff white papers and asked for feedback on three issues related to reauthorization of the Higher Education Act: accreditation, risk sharing, and the collection of consumer information. He requested input on the topics to inform the committee’s reauthorization process. All comments are due April 24.
March 23, 2015
Scott and Hanna Host Bipartisan Early Childhood Education Briefing: Congressmen Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Richard Hanna (R-NY) hosted a bipartisan expert panel addressing the importance of early childhood education on March 23. The briefing, titled “Ensuring a Strong Start: The Importance of Early Childhood Programs,” focused on the proven return on investment when families devote resources to quality early childhood education programs.
March 23, 2015
New Legislation
H.R.1490 : SOS Campus Act
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (7)
H.R.1492 : Child Care Access and Refundability Expansion Act
Sponsor: Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (21)
H.R.1503 : Community College Energy Training Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep Lujan, Ben Ray [NM-3] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (29)
H.R.1504 : To prohibit regulations establishing certain limits for the school lunch program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Noem, Kristi L. [SD] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (19)
H.R.1507 : To incentivize State support for postsecondary education and to promote increased access and affordability for higher education for students, including Dreamer students.
Sponsor: Rep Polis, Jared [CO-2] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.1511 : To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against tax for qualified elementary and secondary education tuition.
Sponsor: Rep Rokita, Todd [IN-4] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.1519 : To direct the Secretary of Education to establish an award program recognizing excellence exhibited by public school system employees providing services to students in prekindergarten through higher education.
Sponsor: Rep Titus, Dina [NV-1] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (10)
H.R.1573 : To require institutions of higher education to provide students with information from the Occupational Employment Statistics program and the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] (introduced 3/24/2015) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.1574 : 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 Carson, Andre [IN-7] (introduced 3/24/2015) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.1639 : To amend the charter school programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Sponsor: Rep Takano, Mark [CA-41] (introduced 3/25/2015) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.1676 : To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to establish a weekend and holiday feeding program to provide nutritious food to at-risk school children on weekends and during extended school holidays during the school year.
Sponsor: Rep Titus, Dina [NV-1] (introduced 3/26/2015) Cosponsors (10)
H.R.1688 : To amend the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to designate 20 graduate medical education residency positions specifically for the study of optometry.
Sponsor: Rep Denham, Jeff [CA-10] (introduced 3/26/2015) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.1691 : To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit an institution of higher education located in the United States from participating in student assistance programs under title IV of such Act if the institution bans the display of the flag of the United States on its campus.
Sponsor: Rep Duffy, Sean P. [WI-7] (introduced 3/26/2015) Cosponsors (2)
H.R.1728 : To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve the efficiency of summer meals.
Sponsor: Rep Young, Don [AK] (introduced 3/26/2015) Cosponsors (1)
H.RES.161 : Expressing support for designation of September 18 as “National Innovation in Education Day”.
Sponsor: Rep Peters, Scott H. [CA-52] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (12)
S.796 : A bill to incentivize State support for postsecondary education and to promote increased access and affordability for higher education for students, including Dreamer students.
Sponsor: Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (2)
S.799 : Protecting Our Infants Act of 2015
Sponsor: Sen McConnell, Mitch [KY] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (1)
S.809 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against tax for qualified elementary and secondary education tuition.
Sponsor: Sen Rubio, Marco [FL] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (None)
S.811 : A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require States to develop policies on positive school climates and school discipline.
Sponsor: Sen Murphy, Christopher S. [CT] (introduced 3/19/2015) Cosponsors (3)
S.840 : Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights
Sponsor: Sen Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 3/23/2015) Cosponsors (2)
S.856 : A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require criminal background checks for school employees.
Sponsor: Sen Alexander, Lamar [TN] (introduced 3/24/2015) Cosponsors (5)
S.867 : A bill to improve student academic achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects.
Sponsor: Sen Merkley, Jeff [OR] (introduced 3/25/2015) Cosponsors (1)
S.882 : A bill to amend part A of title II of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Sponsor: Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] (introduced 3/26/2015) Cosponsors (1)
S.894 : A bill to support innovation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Klobuchar, Amy [MN] (introduced 3/26/2015) Cosponsors (1)
S.RES.111 : A resolution designating March 2015 as “National Middle Level Education Month”.
Sponsor: Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] (introduced 3/25/2015) Cosponsors (1)
Publications
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Report: What Is the Price of College? Total, Net, and Out-of-Pocket Prices by Type of Institution in 2011–12: This report describes three measures of the price of undergraduate education in the 2011–12 academic year: total price of attendance (tuition and living expenses), net price of attendance after all grants, and out-of-pocket net price after all financial aid. It is based on the 2011–12 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, a nationally representative study of students enrolled in postsecondary institutions in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Students are grouped into four institution types: public 2-year institutions, public 4-year institutions, private nonprofit 4-year institutions, and for-profit institutions at all levels (less-than-2-year, 2-year, and 4-year).
March 26, 2015