E-Update for the Week of March 9, 2020

Highlights:

• This week, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) published a collection of resources and guidance for schools and districts regarding the growing coronavirus outbreak. The webpage, located on the Department’s website, includes guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and information for districts, schools, and institutions of higher education as to how they should support students in the case of a closing due to the outbreak.
• On March 5, the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor/HHS) Subcommittee held a hearing titled, “Review of the FY2021 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education.” During the hearing, Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) suggested the Appropriations Committee would not entertain the Department’s Elementary and Secondary Education for the Disadvantage (ESED) block grant proposal and would instead, “write the appropriations bill under current law.”
• On March 3, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) held a press event to announce the inclusion of H.R.865, the “Rebuild America’s Schools Act,” in the House Democrat’s “Moving Forward” infrastructure framework. The Speaker noted that she hopes to bring the infrastructure package to the floor “very soon.”

Congress:

Senate:

Blunt throws cold water on Department’s block grant proposal: The Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor/HHS) Subcommittee held a hearing titled, “Review of the FY2021 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education.” The hearing featured testimony by U.S. Department of Education (USED) Secretary Betsy DeVos. During the hearing, Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) expressed his appreciation for the proposed increase to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, but also raised concerns with the Department’s proposed Elementary and Secondary Education for the Disadvantaged (ESED) block grant. The Chairman was particularly focused on potential impacts the block grant would have on programs such as the Charter Schools Program. He also suggested the Appropriations Committee would not entertain the proposal and would instead, “write the appropriations bill under current law.” Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) explored how the Department is supporting schools and districts in the wake of the growing coronavirus outbreak and expressed her concern with the Department’s proposed rule regarding Title IX, which pertains to sexual harassment and assault. Secretary DeVos’s opening testimony is here. A recording of the hearing is here.
March 5, 2020

Murray celebrates FDA ban on use of electrical shock for children with disabilities: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) released a statement in response to a final rule from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Agency issued a final rule to ban the use of electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) on children and adults with disabilities. “Electrical stimulation devices cause psychological trauma and physical injury—and while it took too long, I’m glad that this archaic and inhumane form of punishment will finally be banned once and for all,” stated the Ranking Member. The full statement is here. The FDA final rule is here.
March 4, 2020

HELP Democrats seek information on USED efforts to support schools facing coronavirus outbreaks: Senate HELP Committee Democrats, led by Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA), sent a letter to USED Secretary DeVos requesting further details as to how the Department is planning and preparing to support schools and districts subjected to the impacts from the growing coronavirus outbreak. The Committee Democrats requested more information on how the Department is coordinating with other federal agencies tasked with addressing the outbreak; what information and guidance the Department has provided to school districts and institutions of higher education; and how the Department will consider the outbreak’s impacts on students with disabilities, students from food insecure families, and students experiencing homelessness. A press release is here. The letter is here.
March 2, 2020

House:

Education panel explores need to reauthorize apprenticeship act: The House Education and Labor Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee held a hearing titled, “Reauthorizing the National Apprenticeship Act: Strengthening & Growing Apprenticeships for the 21st Century.” During the hearing, Subcommittee Chairwoman Susan Davis (D-CA) highlighted the importance and success of federally registered apprenticeships. Further, the Chairwoman discussed three “key pillars” to a reauthorization of the National Apprenticeship Act: increasing federal investments to create and expand registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships, including those in non-traditional occupations; creating dedicated, annual funding to states to expand state apprenticeship programs; and, streamlining the process for registering programs, while maintaining the high-quality standards. Ranking Member Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) expressed his support for apprenticeship programs and argued they can provide high-earning, meaningful employment for individuals. The Ranking Member also expressed his appreciation for the Trump Administration’s continued prioritization of workforce development, including the use of apprenticeships. Chairwoman Davis’s full opening remarks are here. Ranking Member Smucker’s full opening remarks are here. A recording of the hearing is here.
March 4, 2020

Speaker Pelosi fully commits to schools being included in Democrats’ infrastructure package: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) held a press event to announce the inclusion of H.R.865, the “Rebuild America’s Schools Act,” in the House Democrat’s “Moving Forward” infrastructure framework. The bill, which was reported favorably out of Committee last year, would provide $70 billion in federal grant funding and $30 billion in bonds for schools to address infrastructure needs. During the event, Speaker Pelosi stated, “Crumbling schools are not meeting the needs of our children.  Nearly one-quarter of America’s schools are rated substandard… We cannot send our children into schools with broken heating, contaminated water, toxic mold, poor technology, and expect them to thrive.” In closing, the Speaker noted that she hopes to bring the infrastructure package to the floor “very soon.” The Speaker’s full remarks are here.
March 3, 2020

Appropriators explore how to reduce child poverty: The House Appropriations Labor/HHS Subcommittee held a hearing titled, “Reducing Child Poverty.” The hearing was focused on a National Academy of Sciences report that provided recommendations for how the country can reduce child poverty by 50 percent within the next ten years. During the hearing Subcommittee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) described the Subcommittee’s efforts to fund programs focused on reducing poverty, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Head Start, the Preschool Development Grant (PDG), Titles I and II of the Every Student Succeeds Act, and the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, among others. Chairwoman DeLauro’s full opening remarks are here. Witness testimonies are here. A recording of the hearing is here.
March 3, 2020

Administration:

U.S. Department of Education (USED):

USED provides guidance to schools, colleges on coronavirus response: USED published a collection of resources and guidance for schools and districts regarding the growing coronavirus outbreak. The webpage, located on the Department’s website, includes guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the Department released a letter outlining obligations of schools and districts to ensure that students are not bullied or harassed because of their race or nation of origin. The Department has also provided guidance on how institutions of higher education should comply with Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) and provide accommodations to students whose enrollment or learning have been disrupted by the coronavirus. The webpage is here.
March 2020

Select colleges to participate in student financial aid debit card pilot program: The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced a pilot program titled, “myFSApay.” The pilot program, which provides students the option to receive their federal financial aid refunds on a prepaid card, will include Jackson State University, Purdue University, the University of California-Riverside, and the University of Georgia, with additional schools expected to be added throughout 2020. According to FSA, students will be able to use their accounts to pay for other educational expenses such as transportation, books, food, and supplies. A Department press release is here.
February 28, 2020

Publications (Congressional and Administration):

• On March 5, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General published a report titled, “Communication and Management Challenges Impeded HHS’s Response to the Zero-Tolerance Policy.” The report references the Trump Administration’s immigration policy that authorized the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to separate families when entering the country without documentation. Although the policy was enforced by DHS, HHS includes the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which is responsible for the well-being of undocumented immigrants in U.S. custody. The report summarizes an investigation by the Inspector General to review the challenges that HHS faced in responding to the zero-tolerance policy and for carrying out the reunification effort. Key findings of the report include identifying that key senior HHS officials did not act on staff’s “repeated warnings” that family separations were occurring and would likely increase; that HHS’s lack of planning resulted in the Department’s inability to provide prompt and appropriate care for separated children; and that HHS and DHS failed to establish a procedure or system to track separated families, which resulted in delays for reunification. The full report is here.

Publications (Outside Organizations):

• On March 4, the Center for Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) published a report titled, “Finding a Great Fit: Improving the School Choice Process for Students with Disabilities.” The report summarizes a series of focus groups focused on students with disabilities in New Orleans and Washington, DC. Key findings of the report include identifying that families are more concerned with school quality and a good “fit” for their students compared to the process of choosing a school; that families still report a need for additional support in finding the best fit for their student; and that parents of students with disabilities report feeling they have less choice than parents of students without disabilities. The full report is here.
• On March 2, the Brookings Institution published a report titled, “Are America’s rising high school graduation rates real – or just an accountability-fueled mirage?” The report summarizes a study to determine the impact of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) on national graduation rates. Key findings of the report include identifying that NCLB accountability increased graduation rates; that the increase is unlikely to have been due to lowered graduation standards; and that credit recovery programs are also not likely to have contributed to the increase in graduation rates. The full report is here.

Upcoming Events (Congressional and Administration):

• On March 10 at 10:00 am, the Senate Banking Committee will hold a full Committee hearing titled, “The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Semi-Annual Report to Congress.” Kathleen Kraninger, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) will testify. More information is here.
• On March 11 at 2:00 pm, the House Education and Labor Workforce Protections Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, “The Healthy Families Act: Examining a Plan to Secure Paid Sick Leave for U.S. Workers.” No witnesses have yet been announced. More information is here.
• On March 11 at 2:00 pm, the House Ways and Means Worker and Family Support Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, “Combatting Child Poverty in America.” Witnesses will include Dolores Acevedo-Garcia, professor at Brandeis University; Marsha Raulerson, pediatrician from Alabama; Joy Bivens, Agency Director of the Franklin, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services; Ayesha Jaco, Executive Director of West Side United; and Angela Rachidi, Rowe Scholar from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). More information is here.
• On either March 24 or April 1, USED Secretary DeVos is expected to testify in front of the House Education and Labor Committee. The Secretary would testify on the Department’s FY2021 budget request.

• On April 15, states must submit their three-year Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) state plans. States previously submitted their one-year transition plans. More information is here.
• On April 29, it is expected the House Appropriations Labor/HHS Subcommittee will hold a markup of its FY2021 Labor/HHS appropriations bill.
• On May 13, it is expected the House Appropriations Committee will hold a markup of the FY2021 House Labor/HHS appropriations bill.

Upcoming Events (Outside Organizations): 

• On March 10 at 12:00 pm, New America will hold an event titled, “Moving Beyond False Choices for Early Childhood Educators.” The event will discuss pressing issues for expanding high quality early childhood education, including preparation and education for early childhood educators, compensation and status, and workforce diversity and inclusivity. More information and registration are here.
• On March 11 at 12:00 pm, the Aspen Institute will hold an event titled, “Gaining by Degrees: Increasing Rural Education, Career, and Community Success.” The event will feature a discussion on successful strategies to close the rural opportunity gap for students to pursue postsecondary education. More information and registration are here.
• On March 12 at 2:00 pm, BDT & Company will hold an event titled, “Promoting Postsecondary Access and Economic Success for Rural Students and Communities.” The event is sponsored by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL). The event will feature a discussion around innovative solutions for driving postsecondary access and success for students from rural areas. More information and registration are here.
• On March 19, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) will hold an event titled, “Education policy debate: Should the government provide free universal pre-K?” The event will feature a debate between experts that will argue pre-K can improve academic and socioemotional outcomes, but others will suggest that a universal approach would produce low-quality schools. More information and registration are here.

Legislation:

H.R.6051
A bill to authorize a pilot program for dyslexia screening and early literacy intervention using evidence-based services for students suspected of having an early reading deficiency or dyslexia, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)

H.R.6069
A bill to establish a competitive program to make grants to States to provide child care to individuals receiving services at American Job Centers.
Sponsor: Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH)

H.R.6087
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to create a reduction schedule for public service loan forgiveness, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL)

H.R.6106
A bill to strengthen student achievement and graduation rates and prepare children and youth for college, careers, and citizenship through innovative partnerships that meet the comprehensive needs of children and youth.
Sponsor: Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)

H.R.6107
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to improve diversity in accelerated student learning programs.
Sponsor: Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)

H.R.6109
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, to enable schools serving grades 6 through 12 that are located in rural areas or that serve Native American students to remodel or build new facilities to provide STEM classrooms and laboratories and support high-speed internet, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA)

S.3397
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, to enable schools serving grades 6 through 12 that are located in rural areas or that serve Native American students to remodel or build new facilities to provide STEM classrooms and laboratories and support high-speed internet, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI)

S.3405
A bill to strengthen student achievement and graduation rates and prepare children and youth for college, careers, and citizenship through innovative partnerships that meet the comprehensive needs of children and youth.
Sponsor: Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)

S.3410
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve access to postsecondary instructional materials for students with print disabilities.
Sponsor: Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)