E-Update for September 30, 2016
Highlights
- On September 29, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) released Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Schoolwide Guidance, which explains the benefits of operating a schoolwide program under Title I for school districts and schools.
- On September 28, the House and Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) to continue funding the government through December 9, which was then signed by the President on September 29. The bill includes a .496% across-the-board reduction to programs for the duration of the CR.
- On September 27, USED released guidance on supporting educators and elevating the teaching profession through Title II-Part A in ESSA.
- This week, EducationCounsel published new guidance entitled, “A Federal Legal and Policy Primer on Scholarships: Key Non-discrimination Principles and Actionable Strategies for Institutions of Higher Education and Private Scholarship Providers” in partnership with the National Scholarship Providers Association and the College Board. The primer provides guidance on legal standards that may apply to scholarships when multiple different personal characteristics are considered, includes action steps that institutions and private providers can take to help promote the effectiveness and legal sustainability of scholarships, and outlines some of the federal tax law provisions that may apply to scholarship providers.
U.S. Congress
Senator Warren Sends Letter to USED on Debt Relief for Former Students of Corinthian Colleges: Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent a letter to USED Secretary John King criticizing the Department for its handling of debt relief for student loan borrowers who attended the now-closed Corinthian Colleges. Senator Warren criticized USED for collecting debt from nearly 80,000 former Corinthian students, many of whom are having their tax refunds or other government benefits garnished by the Administration. In the letter, she stated, “Instead of adding insult to injury for tens of thousands of Corinthian victims by pushing scores of them into debt collection, the Department of Education should stand up for these students as it has promised to do for more than a year and immediately halt all collections on this debt.”
September 29, 2016
House Passes H.R. 6094, the “Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act”: The House passed H.R. 6094, the “Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act,” to require a six-month delay in the effective date of the U.S. Department of Labor’s overtime rule. The overtime rule would double the salary threshold for overtime eligibility and require automatic adjustments every three years. Following the vote, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) stated, “The Department has advanced an extreme regulation that will stifle workplace flexibility, make college less affordable, and jeopardize services for individuals in need…Providing small businesses, colleges and universities, and charitable organizations more time to mitigate these harmful consequences is the least we can do.”
September 28, 2016
Senators Debate a Bill to Assist Veterans who Attended ITT Tech: A group of Democratic Senators attempted to call up and pass by unanimous consent (UC) S. 2253, a bill to assist veterans who attended any of the now-closed ITT Tech campuses. However, an objection was raised since the bill is not offset. During debate on the bill, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) who is a cosponsor of the bill, explained the reason for the objection as, “we are trying to pass a policy that we haven’t taken the time to make a decision about how to pay for it” and asked that the bill not be passed until the funding question is resolved.
September 28, 2016
Members of Congress Issue Statement Supporting Rights of University Teaching and Research Assistants: Following a recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision which restored the right of research assistants (RAs) and teaching assistants (TAs) to form unions and collectively bargain, 69 members of Congress, led by House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), issued a statement urging private universities and colleges to ensure that teaching assistants (TAs) and research assistants (RAs) can fully and freely exercise these statutory rights, without interference, delay, or coercion.
September 26, 2016
Administration
USED Releases ESSA Schoolwide Guidance: USED released Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Schoolwide Guidance, which explains how operating a schoolwide program under Title I can be beneficial to school districts and schools as they leverage local, state, and federal funds to promote school reforms and raise student achievement. Under ESSA, schoolwide programs remain a key tool for using Title I funds to improve academic achievement and enabling schools to upgrade their entire educational program. The guidance can be found here.
September 29, 2016
NCES Releases Statistics on Students with Stafford Loans: USED’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released a statistics in brief examining students who took out their individual maximum amount in Stafford loans in 2011-12 compared with those who did so in 2007-08, by dependency status, income level, institution type, and attendance status.
September 29, 2016
White House Releases Fact Sheet on FAFSA’s Earlier Availability: The White House released a fact sheet to inform student loan borrowers of the earlier timeline for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is now available on October 1. The fact sheet also detailed some of the actions that the Administration has taken to increase access to higher education, such as increasing investments in Pell Grants and streamlining the FAFSA process.
September 28, 2016
USED Announces Federal Loan Default Rate Trends: USED announced that the three-year federal student loan cohort default rate has declined from 11.8% to 11.3%, continuing a downward trend since fiscal year (FY) 2010. USED also detailed additional default rate trends, including among public versus private institutions.
September 28, 2016
USED Releases Guidance on Supporting Educators: USED released guidance on supporting educators and elevating the teaching profession through Title II-Part A in ESSA. The guidance details the ways in which Title II funds can be used to support multiple pathways to the teaching profession, establish high-quality mentorship programs, develop meaningful educator evaluation programs, and improve school leadership. The full guidance is available here.
September 27, 2016
OIG Publishes Instructions on Evaluating For-Profit Institutions’ Compliance with Federal Regulations: USED’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) published new instructions on how independent auditors should evaluate for-profit institutions’ compliance with federal financial aid regulations. Independent auditors will now be required to verify a college’s compliance with regulations more aggressively. The full report can be found here.
September 27, 2016
OIG Publishes Report on Student Loan Fraud Concerns: OIG published a report informing USED’s office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) of potential concerns regarding fraud schemes by firms offering student loan consolidation or forgiveness services. OIG’s report raised concerns over the way in which such firms gain access to the accounts of federal student aid recipients.
September 26, 2016
USED Announces the Awarding of New Grants:
- On September 29, USED announced the awarding of over $26 million in grants to support literacy in high-need schools. The Innovative Approaches to Literacy grants will help 29 grantees develop and improve high-quality literacy programs based on research. The press release can be found here.
- On September 28, USED announced the awarding of $245 million in grants under its Charter Schools Program (CSP) to support high-quality charter schools. CSP grant funds are used to provide start-up funds for new charter schools, strengthen accountability for charter school performance, and to help share leading practices to increase success. Press release can be found here.
- On September 27, USED announced the awarding of four grants totaling $5 million through its Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program authorized under the Higher Education Act to recruit, train, and support teachers to focus on rural communities. The funds will be used to support teacher preparation models that improve the preparedness of prospective and new teachers serving rural communities. The press release can be found here.
- On September 26, USED announced the awarding of $91 million in grants to nine districts in five states to support racial and socioeconomic integration through its Magnet School Assistance Program. The grants will help districts create rigorous academic programs through three-year projects to establish new magnet schools or expand existing programs with strategies consistent with the districts voluntary or required desegregation plan. The press release can be found here.
Publications
NCES Releases 2024 Education Projections: NCES released a publication entitled, “Projections for Education Statistics to 2024,” which provides projections for key education statistics including enrollment, graduates, teachers, and expenditures in elementary and secondary schools, and enrollment, earned degrees conferred and expenditures of degree-granting postsecondary institutions.
September 29, 2016
Legislation
H.R.6264
To assist States in providing voluntary high-quality universal prekindergarten programs and programs to support infants and toddlers.
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6250
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow qualified entrepreneurs to temporarily defer Federal student loan payments after starting a new business.
Sponsor: Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6239
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve Federal Pell Grants and loans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce, Judiciary
H.R.6236
To elevate the teaching profession through systemic innovations in teacher recruitment and retention to ensure that students, especially those from low-income families, are taught by excellent, well-prepared, and well-supported teachers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (11)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6231
To carry out an income-contingent repayment program for Federal Interest Free Education Loans for undergraduate students, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (10)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6210
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to strengthen accountability of authorized public chartering agencies and reduce charter school authorizing misconduct.
Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence, Brenda L. [D-MI-14] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6206
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize certain students to retain financial aid eligibility while completing a drug rehabilitation program.
Sponsor: Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6205
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow certain payments made by public service employees to qualify for public service repayment, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6204
To amend section 262 of the Museum and Library Services Act to authorize the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Service to award grants to institutions of higher education for courses that use only publicly available digital resources for required reading assignments, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6203
To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a STEM grant program.
Sponsor: Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6197
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide loan deferment and loan cancellation for founders and employees of small business start-ups, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce, Financial Services, Ways and Means, Small Business
H.Res.913
Supporting a Federal, publically-funded universal school meal and nutrition program.
Sponsor: Rep. Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (7)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
S.3458
A bill to establish programs to improve family economic security by breaking the cycle of multigenerational poverty, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.3444
A bill to clarify the hours of service requirements for education support professionals.
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.3406
A bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to require child care providers to provide to parents information regarding whether such providers carry liability insurance.
Sponsor: Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA] (Introduced 09/28/2016) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
H.R.6188
To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a grant program for early childhood STEM activities.
Sponsor: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2] (Introduced 09/27/2016) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
S.3399
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the disclosure of the annual percentage rates applicable to Federal student loans.
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL] (Introduced 09/27/2016) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.Res.580
A resolution supporting the establishment of a President’s Youth Council.
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (Introduced 09/27/2016) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
H.R.6172
Campus Fire Safety Education Act of 2016
Sponsor: Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9] (Introduced 09/26/2016) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6168
Academic Success Centers and Education Networks for Dreamers (ASCEND) Act
Sponsor: Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-31] (Introduced 09/26/2016) Cosponsors: (16)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.R.6164
Inclusive Campuses Act
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Henry C. “Hank,” Jr. [D-GA-4] (Introduced 09/26/2016) Cosponsors: (19)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.Res.895
Expressing support for designation of the week of September 26, 2016, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.
Sponsor: Rep. Polis, Jared [D-CO-2] (Introduced 09/26/2016) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
H.Res.894
Expressing support for designation of October 2016 as “National Principals Month”.
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53] (Introduced 09/26/2016) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
S.Res.578
A resolution supporting Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool programs held on October 20, 2016.
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA] (Introduced 09/26/2016) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
S.Res.576
A resolution calling on Congress, schools, and State and local educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia that must be addressed and designating October 2016 as “National Dyslexia Awareness Month”.
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (Introduced 09/26/2016) Cosponsors: (3)