E-Update for May 26, 2016
Highlights
- USED Releases Proposed Regs on Accountability, State Plans, and Data Reporting under ESSA: The U.S. Department of Education (USED) released proposed regulations on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)’s provisions on accountability, school improvement, data reporting, and consolidated state plans. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday March 31, 2016; the public comment period will be 60 days and will close on August 1, 2016. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN)’s response to the regulations is available here; Senate HELP Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA)’s statement is available here.
- On May 23, EducationCounsel’s Managing Partner Scott Palmer penned this LatestCounsel blog explaining the importance of USED’s proposed regulations on ESSA state plans.
U.S. Congress
Sen. Murray and Rep. Scott Urge Secretary King to Hold States, Districts, and Schools Accountable: Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) wrote a letter urging USED to hold states, districts, and schools accountable for effectively implementing ESSA. The letter asks USED to clarify through regulation areas such as the law’s requirements for states to set goals and measure interim progress for subgroups, and data transparency requirements.
May 24, 2016
Administration
USED Collects Feedback on Potential Areas for ESSA Guidance: USED invited stakeholders to submit feedback on areas where clarity on the law is needed through guidance, suggesting that feedback be submitted by May 25. Specifically, USED sought comments on expanding early learning, Titles II & IV, and clarification of fiscal requirements.
May 25, 2016
Events
On May 31, EducationCounsel will host a briefing featuring an overview of a new framework for accreditation. The framework has been designed to address the core federal interest in ensuring that billions of annual student loan and taxpayer dollars are spent on quality higher education programs. The event will begin at 10 a.m. in room 430 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
The overview will be followed by a panel discussion featuring leading higher education experts:
- Andrew Kelly, Resident Scholar in Education Policy, American Enterprise Institute
- Amy Laitinen, Director for Higher Education, New America Foundation
- Alan Mabe, Chief Academic Officer and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities
To RSVP for the event, please take 30 seconds to fill out this brief form. Space is limited. (No personal information will be shared or used for purposes other than this briefing.). This work is made possible by support from the Lumina Foundation.
New Legislation
H.R.5307 : To amend Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to define the term “sex” for purposes of such title.
Sponsor: Rep Abraham, Ralph Lee [LA-5] (introduced 5/23/2016) Cosponsors (4)
Committees: House Education and the Workforce
H.R.5310 : To improve college affordability.
Sponsor: Rep Sanchez, Loretta [CA-46] (introduced 5/23/2016) Cosponsors (30)
Committees: House Education and the Workforce
Publications
The Condition of Education 2016: This report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) summarizes important developments and trends in education using the latest available data. The 2016 report presents 43 key indicators on the status and condition of education and are grouped under four main areas: (1) population characteristics, (2) participation in education, (3) elementary and secondary education, and (4) postsecondary education.
May 26, 2016