E-Update for the Week of May 18, 2020
Highlights:
- On May 15, the House passed H.R. 6800, the “Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act.” The broad relief package, which is estimated to total more than $3 trillion, includes approximately $100 billion for education programs and additional aid for state and local governments.
- On May 13, Vice President Mike Pence, USED Secretary Betsy DeVos, and White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx held a conference call with select higher education leaders to discuss approaches to reopening campuses in the fall.
- On May 12, the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing titled, “COVID-19: Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School.” The hearing focused on the federal government’s response to the pandemic and what additional measures are needed to reopen the U.S. economy, including supports for schools.
Coronavirus (as related to education issues):
Note that all information related to the coronavirus (or COVID-19) is up to date as of 12:00 pm on May 16, 2020. Given the fast-moving nature of congressional and Administrative actions to address the growing pandemic, we will do our best to update this information as quickly as possible.
Congress:
Senate:
Fauci to HELP Committee – Country needs to be very careful with reopening prevent future outbreaks: The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing titled, “COVID-19: Safely Getting Back to Work and Back to School.” The hearing focused on the federal government’s response to the pandemic and what additional measures are needed to reopen the U.S. economy, including supports for schools. Largely, the hearing revolved around the need for increased testing capacity and rapid vaccine development. However, Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) did raise questions about what is needed for postsecondary institutions to reopen safely. Additionally, Ranking Member Murray (D-WA) expressed in her opening statement that clear guidance is needed for early childhood providers, schools, and colleges to know how to keep students, staff, and educators safe.
The hearing featured testimony from Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Dr. Robert Redfield of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Brett Giroir of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Dr. Stephen Hahn of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During the hearing, Dr. Fauci cautioned against reopening too soon. He also expressed that if states do not have the testing capacity or ability to meet guidelines for reopening, it could lead to potentially dangerous outbreaks. A recording of the hearing is here.
May 12, 2020
House:
House Dems push through HEROES Act, $3 trillion bill faces steep uphill climb in Senate: The House passed H.R. 6800, the “Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act.” This latest response bill to the coronavirus pandemic was drafted by House Democratic leadership and has been a partisan effort to date. The bill was adopted on a mostly partisan 208-199 vote, with one Republican voting in favor and 14 Democrats voting against. The broad relief package, which is estimated to total more than $3 trillion, includes approximately $100 billion for education programs and additional aid for state and local governments. The Act includes $90 billion for an Education State Fiscal Stabilization Fund; $10.15 billion for institutions of higher education; $7 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG); and $850 million to provide child care for front line workers. While it is expected the Act will be passed by the House, its path forward in the Senate remains unclear. The text of the bill is here. A Manager’s Amendment is here. A section-by-section summary of the bill provided by the House Appropriations Committee is here. A statement by House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) is here. A statement by House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) is here.
May 15, 2020
Scott to DeVos – rethink CARES Act discretionary grants: House Education and Labor Committee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education (USED) Secretary Betsy DeVos urging her to reconsider her plan for Rethink K12 Education Models (REM) grants, which will be funded by a set-aside in funding included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that can be used at the Secretary’s discretion. The Secretary has included a priority for states to provide microgrants to families, which may be used in part for private education options. “By directing states to allow these funds to be diverted to private fee-for-service educational providers, the Department has not faithfully adhered to Congressional intent to support the public-school system that still educates the overwhelming majority of American students,” stated the Chairman. A press release is here. The full letter is here.
May 15, 2020
Administration:
White House:
Pence, DeVos hold teleconference with select postsecondary leaders on reopening colleges, universities: Vice President Mike Pence, USED Secretary Betsy DeVos, and White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx held a conference call with select higher education leaders to discuss approaches to reopening campuses in the fall. According to a readout of the call provided by the White House, the call focused on possible options to re-open campuses and the importance of opening and maintaining research labs. The full readout, including a list of participants, is here.
May 13, 2020
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
CDC releases new, but limited, guidance on school, child care reopening: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published revised guidelines for when schools and child care centers can reopen during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines outline key questions that schools and districts should answer to determine if they are prepared to reopen safely. The guidelines ask schools to consider if they were able to reopen in a way that is consistent with state and local orders; if the school can protect children and employees at higher risks for severe illness; and if schools are able to screen students and employees upon arrival for symptoms and history of exposure. If schools are not able to do the above, they should not reopen. The full guidelines are here.
May 14, 2020
Non-Coronavirus Updates:
Administration:
U.S. Department of Education (USED):
DeVos to award $3 million in student-centered funding program grants: USED Secretary DeVos announced a grant application for local educational agencies (LEAs) to leverage flexibilities afforded by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to create student-centered funding programs. The Department announced the grant program will have $3 million available to distribute to LEAs who create new funding programs that use weighted-student funding based on characteristics such as, low-income status, English language proficiency, and “other educationally disadvantaged student groups.” The Department previously announced applications for LEAs to take advantage of these flexibilities in 2018, but this is first time the Department has awarded funding to support the program. A press release is here.
May 11, 2020
DeVos publishes applications for Statewide Assessments grant, looks for coordination with Innovative Assessment pilot program: USED published in the Federal Register a notice for new applications for the Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) program. The CGSA program is intended to provide states funding to support efforts to improve the technical quality of their statewide assessments. The Department is prioritizing applications that align their CGSA applications with the Innovative Assessment Demonstration pilot program. The Innovative Assessment pilot provides select states the flexibility to explore new and innovative approaches to assessments by implementing them in a subset of schools or districts. The notice is here.
May 1, 2020
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):
HHS eliminates data collection on LGBTQ+ children, adoptive parents from child welfare system database: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule in the Federal Register related to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). The final rule changes the data collection and reporting requirements on children in out-of-home care, and children who exit out-of-home care to adoption or legal guardianship. The rule eliminates data collection related to sexual orientation and gender identity of adoptive and foster parents. Additionally, the rule eliminates the same data collection for children within the child welfare system. The final rule is here. A joint statement from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA), Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) is here.
May 12, 2020
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL):
Labor Department now accepting applications for Industry Recognized Apprenticeships: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it has launched an application for entities to be approved as “Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP) Standards Recognition Entities (SRES).” The application is part of the Department’s effort to change the federal apprenticeship program by expanding the number and type of apprenticeship programs approved. “I encourage industry leaders, educators, and others to consider forming SREs to help drive the expansion of apprenticeships and assist in the economic rebound. In these challenging times, the new apprenticeship opportunities created by IRAPs can open doors to good-paying jobs in industries such as telecommunications, health care, cybersecurity, and other sectors,” stated DOL Secretary Eugene Scalia. A press release is here.
May 11, 2020
Publications (Outside Organizations):
- On May 15, Generation Hope published a report titled, “Uncovering the Student-Parent Experience and Its Impact on College Success.” The report summarizes a national survey of postsecondary students, who are also parents, and their success in their academic programs. Key findings of the report include identifying that one in five college students are also a parent; that more than one in three student-parents did not see any family friendly resources on campus; that more than 60 percent of student-parents had to miss at least one day of classes to take care of their child; and that 75 percent were unaware that their financial aid could be increased to help support child care. The full report is here.
- On May 15, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) published a report titled, “The Growing Gap: Public Higher Education’s Declining Affordability for Pell Grant Recipients.” The report summarizes an analysis of college unaffordability for students who receive Pell Grants based on an “affordability gap,” which describes the remaining costs of attendance for a student after applying the Pell Grant. Key findings of the report include identifying that among public two- and four-year institutions, there was a decrease in the percentage of affordable institutions; that there was an increase in the affordability gap between 2014 and 2018 for both public two- and four-year institutions; that the average affordability gap in 2018 for public two-year institutions was $640 and $2,406 for public four-year institutions. The full report is here.
- On May 13, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) published a report titled, “Evidence against the free-college agenda: An analysis of prices, financial aid, and affordability at public universities.” The report summarizes a review of college affordability at public four-year institutions. Key findings of the report include identifying that tuition prices at public institutions for Pell Grant recipients have increased by less than $5,000 between 1995 and 2018; that average net tuition prices for low- and middle-income students increased by less than $600 between 1996 and 2016; and that average financial aid for low- and middle-income students increased from $1,618 to $6,442 between 1996 and 2016. The full report is here.
Upcoming Events (Congressional and Administration):
- On May 19 at 12:00 pm, the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold a teleconference forum to discuss critical consumer protection, broadband, and spectrum issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai will join the teleconference. The forum is only open to credentialed press. More information is here.
Upcoming Events (Outside Organizations):
- On May 20 at 1:00 pm, the Center for American Progress (CAP) will hold an event titled, “Preparing K-8 Students for the Future of Work.” The webinar will discuss the impacts of automation and artificial intelligence on career and technical education elementary and secondary schools. Panelists will include Amy Loyd, Vice President of Jobs for the Future; Juanita Price, Kindergarten teacher; and Victor Scotti, Pipeline and Program Development Manager, Google. More information and registration are here.
- On May 19 at 10:30 am, the Brookings Institute will hold an event titled, “Great levelers or great stratifiers? College access, admissions, and the American middle class.” The webinar will discuss college attendance and future success, specifically related to the middle class. The discussion will feature John Friedman, Professor at Brown University. More information and registration are here.
- On May 21 at 2:00 pm, the Brookings Institute will hold an event titled, “Reopening schools in the fall amid the COVID-19 pandemic.” The webinar will focus on how the United States should approach reopening schools and what options are currently being presented as to how schools can pace and sequence their reopening and how practices will need to be adjusted to accommodate public health guidelines. More information and registration are here.
Legislation:
H.R.6702
A bill to amend the national service laws to prioritize national service programs and projects that are directly related to the response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. David Price (D-NC)
H.R.6720
A bill to provide student loan forgiveness to health care workers who are on the front line in response to COVID-19.
Sponsor: Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
H.R.6744
A bill to provide tax credits to low- to moderate-income individuals for certain computer and education costs; to direct the Federal Communications Commission to modify the requirements for the Lifeline program to provide increased support for broadband internet access service; and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)
H.R.6756
A bill to modify the eligibility standards applicable to low-income college students under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 during COVID-19 public health emergency.
Sponsor: Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH)
H.R.6801
A bill to provide reimbursements for the emergency operational costs of school food authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC)
H.R.6811
A bill to amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase the age of eligibility for children to receive benefits under the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
H.R.6814
A bill to require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to promulgate regulations to provide support to institutions of higher education for the provision of certain equipment and services to students of those institutions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA)
H.R.6822
A bill to amend the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to establish a national public health service program to respond to public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)
H.R.6825
A bill to increase the amount of loan forgiveness available to teachers.
Sponsor: Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA)
H.R.6843
A bill to provide reimbursements for the child care operational emergency costs of certain institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. David Trone (D-MD)
S.3651
A bill to prohibit school food authorities and local educational agencies from collecting unpaid school meal fees during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)
S.3659
A bill to provide State and local workforce and career and technical education systems the support to respond to the COVID-19 national emergency.
Sponsor: Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
S.3701
A bill to require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to promulgate regulations to provide support to institutions of higher education for the provision of certain equipment and services to students of those institutions, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
S.3745
A bill to direct the Secretary of Education to provide relief to borrowers of student loans for whom the Department of Education found misrepresentation by the institution of higher education or a State attorney general has asserted a right to borrower defense discharge.
Sponsor: Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)
S.3746
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include certain employment as a health care practitioner as eligible for public service loan forgiveness, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)