E-Update for September 24, 2014
E-Update for September 24, 2014
Updates
Despite bipartisan and bicameral support for approving the Child Care Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) and the Strengthening Education through Research Act together, the Senate failed to move on these bills before they adjourned for recess. Congress may take up both bills when it returns for a lame-duck session in November.
EducationCounsel News
Along with the American Council on Education, the Civil Rights Project, National Association for College Admission Counseling, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, CollegeBoard, and Pearson, EducationCounsel is co-sponsoring a new survey of college admissions officials on how recent legal challenges to race-conscious admission programs have affected enrollment policies and practices. The goal of the project is to understand the nature of these changes and to examine how search, practitioner, and legal communities can better support institutions seeking to enroll diverse student bodies now and in the future. For questions or comments about this project, please contact us at admissionssurvey@acenet.edu. For more information, please visit http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/A-Dream-Undone.aspx.
Events
On September 25, the Microsoft Innovation and Policy Center will host a conversation on “Technology & Learning in the 21st Century” at 8:30am in Washington, DC. The discussion will consider the effectiveness of strategies such as “data-driven instruction,” “learner-centered networks,” and “online assessments.” Jim Kohlenberger (President, JK Strategies and Education Superhighway) will moderate. Participants will include Richard Culatta (Director of the Office of Education Technology, U.S. Department of Education), Elizabeth Rorick (Deputy Executive Director of Government Affairs and Communications, National PTA), and Rahul Sandil (Project Spark Program Manager, Microsoft Studios). RSVP here.
On Friday, September 26, the Center for America Progress will host a panel discussion about the politics, the principles, and the promise of the Common Core. Libby Nelson (Reporter, Vox) will moderate. Panelists will include Rep. George Miller (D-CA), Lillian Lowery (Superintendent of Schools, Maryland State Department of Education), Gregory Mullenholz (Assistant Principal, Maryvale Elementary School, Rockville, Maryland), and Margie Omero (Managing Director, Purple Insights). RSVP here.
On Tuesday, September 30, Students at the Center will host a presentation and discussion entitled “Towards Deeper Learning in the Nation’s High Schools: The Future of Assessment.” The event will include a presentation and discussion on the uses, limitations, and real-world consequences of high-stakes achievement testing during the era of No Child Left Behind and the types of assessments that might offer better and more useful information about students’ progress. David Conley from the University of Oregon will participate.
On Tuesday, September 30, the Alliance for Excellent Education is hosting a webinar on “Linked Learning: Using Learning Time Creatively to Prepare Students for College and a Career” at 2pm. This webinar will focus on the way that time is used through California’s Linked Learning approach to ensure that more students in the Golden State are leaving high school ready for college, a career, and life. Panelists will include Monica Almond (PhD, Policy and Advocacy Associate, Alliance for Excellent Education), Anya Gurholt (College and Career Pathway Coach, Oakland Unified School District), Tameka McGlawn (EdD, Director of Equity and Impact, ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career), and Tiffany Miller (Associate Director, School Improvement, Center for American Progress). RSVP and submit questions here.
On Tuesday, September 30, the Aspen Institute Justice and Society Program will host a discussion on “Getting the Best Education for All Our Kids: The Lawsuits That Could Transform American Public Schools.” The event will explore how barriers to excellent public education through teacher tenure provisions, spending caps, and other state constitutional, legislative and regulatory provisions are being challenged in lawsuits from coast to coast and how best to achieve racial equity, inclusion, and better educational outcomes. Meryl Chertoff (Executive Director, The Aspen Institute Justice and Society Program) will moderate. Panelists will include Sheryll Cashin (Professor of Law, Georgetown University), Tristan Duncan (Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP), Laurence Tribe (Carl M. Loeb University Professor and Professor of Constitutional Law, Harvard University). To RSVP, contact Sarah Long here.
U.S Department of Education
Adjustment of Calculation of Official Three Year Cohort Default Rates for Institutions Subject to Potential Loss of Eligibility: The U.S. Department of Education announced on September 24 that 13.7 percent of borrowers defaulted on their federal loans for fiscal year 2011 and that 21 colleges, mostly small for-profit beauty schools, will be barred pending appeal from federal student aid.
September 24, 2014
U.S. Department of Education Invests More Than $70 Million to Improve School Climate and Keep Students Safe: To help keep students safe and improve their learning environments, the U.S. Department of Education awarded more than $70 million to 130 grantees in 38 states. The Department made the awards under four new grant programs that were among the common-sense proposals included in President Obama and Vice President Biden’s “Now Is The Time,” a comprehensive plan to make our schools safer, reduce gun violence by keeping guns out of dangerous hands, and increase mental-health services.
September 23, 2014
New GEAR UP Grants Awarded to Help More than 116,000 Students Get on the Pathway for Success in College: On September 22, U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the award of $82 million for 41 grants under Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) that will help 116,000 at-risk students to prepare for college and receive the support they need to achieve success in postsecondary education.
September 22, 2014
Congressional Headlines
Harkin, Merkley Introduce the “Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act”: Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the “Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act,” which would require programs offered by institutions to meet any state or federal licensure requirements and programmatic accreditation that is necessary for entering an occupation in order to receive taxpayer-funded tuition such as Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, G.I. Bill benefits, or Department of Defense Tuition Assistance funds, ensuring that students and taxpayers are not left footing the bill for predatory and valueless programs. Institutions that fail to meet this crucial consumer protection requirement would be ineligible to receive any public investments in higher education.
September 19, 2014
Murray, Alexander Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Designating National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week: U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) introduced a bipartisan Senate Resolution recognizing the week of September 22nd , 2014 as National Adult Education and Family Literacy week. Adult education programs were part of the recently reauthorized Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that was introduced by Murray and Alexander.
September 18, 2014
New Legislation
H.R.5501 : To establish a grant program to enhance existing secondary education programs for the purpose of teaching high school students about the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the individual States.
Sponsor:Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] (introduced 9/17/2014) Cosponsors (4)
H.R.5510 : To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for more effective online education verification metrics.
Sponsor:Rep Byrne, Bradley [AL-1] (introduced 9/17/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5533 : To promote apprenticeships for credentials and employment, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:Rep Pocan, Mark [WI-2] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (9)
H.R.5540 : To establish a grant program for stipends to assist in the cost of compensation paid by employers to certain recent college graduates and to provide funding for their further education in subjects relating to mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.
Sponsor: Rep Jackson Lee, Sheila[TX-18] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.5541 : To promote the provision of exercise and fitness equipment that is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Sponsor: Rep Farr, Sam [CA-20] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.5560 : To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a grant program for undergraduate students with financial need to assist such students in completing degrees at institutions of higher education.
Sponsor: Rep Braley, Bruce L. [IA-1] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5564 : 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:Rep Cardenas, Tony [CA-29] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (4)
H.R.5565 : To provide for institutional risk-sharing in the Federal student loan programs. Sponsor:Rep Carney, John C., Jr. [DE] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5566 : To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to restore National SMART Grants for a certain number of award years.
Sponsor:Rep Carney, John C., Jr. [DE] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.5567 : To carry out pilot programs to improve skills and job training, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Carney, John C., Jr. [DE] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.5568 : To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award interest-free student loans to certain students, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:Rep Castro, Joaquin [TX-20] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5569 : To include community partners and intermediaries in the planning and delivery of education and related programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:Rep Cicilline, David N. [RI-1] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5572 : To provide consumer protections for students.
Sponsor:Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-13] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (3)
H.R.5577 : To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eliminate origination fees for Federal Direct Loans.
Sponsor:Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5589 : To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a grant program to assist institutions of higher education in establishing, maintaining, and improving veteran student centers.
Sponsor:Rep Frankel, Lois [FL-22] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (2)
H.R.5590 : To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow the Secretary of Education to award Early College Federal Pell Grants.
Sponsor:Rep Fudge, Marcia L. [OH-11] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.5596 : To provide borrowers of Federal Family Education Loans with the repayment terms available to borrowers of Federal Direct Loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:Rep Garcia, Joe [FL-26] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (4)
H.R.5597 : To prohibit the Federal Government from issuing or enforcing certain requirements for schools relating to food.
Sponsor:Rep Gohmert, Louie [TX-1] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (14)
H.R.5611 : To provide for temporary emergency impact aid for local educational agencies. Sponsor:Rep Israel, Steve [NY-3] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
H.R.5612 : To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to reduce the testing requirements for part A of title I of such Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:Rep Israel, Steve [NY-3] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5623 : To establish a National Parents Corps Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5661 : To require full funding of part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Sponsor:Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (9)
H.R.5674 : To provide for higher education reform.
Sponsor:Rep Himes, James A. [CT-4] (introduced 9/19/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5676 : To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that members of a reserve component who are pursuing a course of education using educational assistance administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs are accommodated by the institution of higher learning for an absence caused by performing certain training.
Sponsor:Rep Kirkpatrick, Ann [AZ-1] (introduced 9/19/2014) Cosponsors (None)
H.R.5678 : To direct the Secretary of Education to conduct a study to determine the relationship between school start times and adolescent health, well-being, and performance.
Sponsor:Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-19] (introduced 9/19/2014) Cosponsors (2)
H.RES.743 : Expressing support for designation of the week of September 22, 2014, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.
Sponsor:Rep Polis, Jared [CO-2] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (9)
S.2837 : A bill to count revenues from military and veteran education programs toward the limit on Federal revenues that certain proprietary institutions of higher education are allowed to receive for purposes of section 487 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:Sen Carper, Thomas R. [DE] (introduced 9/17/2014) Cosponsors (None)
S.2849 : A bill to strengthen student achievement and graduation rates and prepare youth for postsecondary education at institutions of higher education, careers, and citizenship through innovative partnerships that meet the comprehensive needs of youth.
Sponsor:Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] (introduced 9/17/2014) Cosponsors (1)
S.2859 : A bill to promote apprenticeships for credentials and employment, and for other purposes.
Sponsor:Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (None)
S.2860 : A bill to authorize the Secretary of Education to make grants to support early college high schools and other dual or concurrent enrollment programs.
Sponsor:Sen Coons, Christopher A. [DE] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (3)
S.2863 : A bill to require the Secretary of Education to complete a data analysis on the impact of the proposed rule on gainful employment prior to issuing a final rule on gainful employment.
Sponsor:Sen Flake, Jeff [AZ] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (4)
S.2867 : A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for the preparation of career and technical education teachers.
Sponsor:Sen Kaine, Tim [VA] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (2)
S.2876 : A bill to establish a public education and awareness and access program relating to emergency contraception.
Sponsor:Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (4)
S.2896 : A bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to adjust for inflation the amount that is exempt from administrative offsets by the Department of Education for defaulted student loans.
Sponsor:Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
S.2897 : 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 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
S.2898 : A bill to provide consumer protections for students.
Sponsor:Sen Merkley, Jeff [OR] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
S.2907 : A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to establish and carry out a comprehensive program to improve education and training for energy-related jobs.
Sponsor:Sen Landrieu, Mary L. [LA] (introduced 9/18/2014) Cosponsors (1)
S.RES.552 : A resolution supporting Lights on Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs held on October 23, 2014.
Sponsor:Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] (introduced 9/17/2014) Cosponsors (6)
S.RES.554 : A resolution recognizing the month of October 2014 as “National Principals Month”.
Sponsor:Sen Franken, Al [MN] (introduced 9/17/2014) Cosponsors (5)
S.RES.558 : A resolution designating the week of September 22 through 28, 2014, as “National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week”.
Sponsor:Sen Murray, Patty [WA] (introduced 9/17/2014) Cosponsors (8)
National and State Headlines
Alabama, Texas, and Puerto Rico NCLB Waivers Extended: The U.S. Department of Education has extended three additional No Child Left Behind waivers—for Alabama, Texas, and Puerto Rico. All three recipients must continue to work with the department on teacher evaluations. The letters went out on September 19. All three states’ extensions are conditional. Each state was asked to submit to guidelines to show how its teacher and principal evaluations measures student growth. The states have turned over this information, but the Education Department hasn’t had a chance to review it yet. Puerto Rico also has other conditions placed on its waiver, due to issues with its implementation of School Improvement Grants.
September 22, 2014
Publications
National Women’s Law Center Report: Unlocking Opportunity for African American Girls: A Call to Action for Educational Equity: The National Women’s Law Center and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. shine a spotlight on the barriers that restrict and limit the educational opportunities of many African American girls, the impact of those barriers on the lives of African American girls and women, and the available interventions that present opportunities to fundamentally improve life outcomes for young African American women. This report — the result of a multi-year study — urges educators, school leaders, community leaders and members, advocates, policymakers, and philanthropic organizations to take action to advance the success of African American girls.
September 19, 2014
National Bureau of Economic Research Paper: The Impact of No Child Left Behind’s Accountability Sanctions on School Performance: Regression Discontinuity Evidence from North Carolina: This paper notes that comparisons of schools that barely meet or miss criteria for adequate yearly progress (AYP) reveal that some sanctions built into the No Child Left Behind accountability regime exert positive impacts on students. The authors find suggestive incentive effects in schools first entering the NCLB sanction regime, but no significant effects of intermediate sanctions. Further analysis shows that gains in sanctioned schools are concentrated among low-performing students, with the exception of gains from restructuring which are pervasive.
September 2014
Young Invincibles Report: A Federal Work Study Reform Agenda to Better Serve Low-Income Students: This report recommends reforming Federal Work Study to better serve low-income students working their way through school, and providing them with experience and skills for today’s economy. The recommendations include: implementing a new distribution formula focused on enrolling, serving, and graduating Pell recipients; promoting FWS as a career-ready program through the expansion of Job Lowcation Development Programs; creating a Career Internships Program within FWS; requiring students, institutions, and employers to agree on what constitutes “course of study”; and surveying the FWS program to further inform policy reforms.
September 22, 2014