E-Update for May 12, 2017
Highlights
- On May 12, it was announced that all of seventeen Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) consolidated state plans submitted to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) for the spring deadline are ready for peer review.
- On May 8, a bipartisan group of members of Congress introduced H.R. 2401 and S. 1064, the “Anti-Lunch Shaming Act,” to prevent schools from discriminating against children who cannot pay for their school meals or have outstanding debt.
- On May 10, USED Secretary DeVos gave the commencement speech at Bethune-Cookman University, a HBCU.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Announcement of State ESSA Plans Ready for Peer Review: U.S. Department of Education (USED) Secretary Betsy DeVos announced that all of seventeen ESSA consolidated state plans submitted to the Department for the spring deadline were determined to be complete and ready for peer review. The District of Columbia and the following 16 states submitted their plans by the spring deadline: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont.
May 12, 2017
Congress:
Lawmakers Introduce “Anti-Lunch Shaming Act:” A bipartisan group of members, led by Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), introduced H.R. 2401 and S. 1064, the “Anti-Lunch Shaming Act,” to prevent schools from discriminating against children who cannot pay for their school meals or have outstanding debt. The legislation would require schools to communicate with the family and not the child about the debt and would also simplify the process for applying for free and reduced price lunch.
May 8, 2017
Illinois Members Send Letter to Secretary DeVos Regarding Upward Bound Applications: Members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, including Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), sent a letter to USED Secretary Betsy DeVos regarding USED’s decision not to approve Upward Bound applications due to formatting errors. The members ask USED Secretary DeVos to reconsider the decision and allow the applicants to compete for the grants. The Upward Bound program assists low-income and first-generation students in accessing higher education.
May 8, 2017
House:
House Speaker Ryan Visits Charter School: House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) visited a Success Academy charter school to gain a better understanding of the school’s model. Additionally, on May 5, the House Education and the Workforce Committee released a press release to commemorate National Charter Schools Week. The press release highlights the history of support and success of the charter school movement and provides a transcript of House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx’s (R-NC) statement on the House floor regarding her recent visit to Success Academy Harlem 1 charter school. The press release can be found here.
May 2017
Administration:
White House:
President Trump Makes Statements on HBCUs Following Signing of “2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act:” President Trump releases statements President Trump released a statement after signing H.R. 244, the “2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act,” which noted that his Administration “shall treat provisions that allocate benefits on the basis of race, ethnicity, and gender (e.g… Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program Account…) in a manner consistent with the requirement to afford equal protection of the laws under the Due Process Clause of the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment.” The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Capital Financing Program Account helps HBCUs finance construction projects. This statement raised concerns among those who support HBCUs, as these groups interpreted the President’s statement to mean that his Administration may withhold congressionally appropriated funds from HBCUs if the Administration determines that these schools discriminate against certain groups of students. On May 7, in response to the concerns, President Trump released a statement clarifying that the signing statement did not impact his strong support for HBCUs and reiterated the commitments he made in an Executive Order regarding his intention to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to provide high-quality education. President Trump’s signing statement can be found here and clarifying statement here.
May 2017
- Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee Bobby Scott (D-VA) released a statement regarding President Trump’s signing statement, in which Ranking Member Scott highlighted HBCUs as being constitutional.
May 8, 2017 - USED Secretary DeVos released a statement expressing her support for HBCUs and noted, “I am happy to see the President reaffirmed this Administration’s support for HBCUs.”
May 7, 2017
U.S. Department of Education (USED):
Teacher Preparation Issues Final Regulations Removed: USED announced in the Federal Register the removal of the Teacher Preparation Issues final regulations. This follows the passage of a resolution to disapprove of the regulations under the Congressional Review Act.
May 9, 2017
EdSim Challenge Finalists Announced: USED announced the five finalists for the EdSim Challenge, a competition to design computer simulations to improve career and technical education and prepare students for success in the workforce. Each finalist will receive $50,000 and enter the EdSim Virtual Accelerator to refine their submission and develop a prototype.
May 9, 2017
Secretary DeVos Gives Commencement Speech at HBCU: USED Secretary DeVos gave the commencement speech at Bethune-Cookman University, a HBCU, during which she reiterated the Administration’s support for HBCUs. USED Secretary DeVos also discussed the need for open dialogue, following concerns being raised by students with her address to the university. USED Secretary DeVos’s statement following the speech can be found here.
May 10, 2017
Secretary DeVos Gives Keynote Speech at Technology Summit: USED Secretary DeVos visited Granite Technical Institute and gave the keynote speech at an annual education technology summit organized by Arizona State University and GSV Advisors in Salt Lake City, Utah. During her keynote address, DeVos highlighted the importance of creating and promoting high-quality education options for students and also suggested redesigning the higher education system to one that is focused on knowledge, skills, and achievement – not centered on delivery methods.
May 9, 2017
U.S. Department of Treasury:
U.S. Department of Treasury Announces Sale of 10-Year Notes: The U.S. Department of Treasury announced the sale of 10-year notes, which will cause the interest rates on new federal student loans to increase by over two-thirds of a percentage point. These new interest rates will take effect on July 1 for the 2017-18 school year and will only affect new borrowers and not those who already have federal student loans.
May 10, 2017
Events:
- On May 13, President Trump will give the commencement speech at Liberty University.
- On May 17, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a markup on H.R. 2353, the “Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act” at 10:00 am. More information can be found here.
- On May 17, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on “Opportunities for Youth and Young Adults to Break the Cycle of Poverty” at 10:00 am. More information can be found here.
Legislation:
H.R.2401
Anti-Lunch Shaming Act
A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to prohibit the stigmatization of children who are unable to pay for meals.
Sponsor: Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM)
S. 1064
Anti-Lunch Shaming Act
A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to prohibit the stigmatization of children who are unable to pay for meals.
Sponsor: Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM)
S. 1066
A bill to provide for the removal of default information from a borrower’s credit report with respect to certain rehabilitated education loans.
Sponsor: Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI)