2022

  02/17/2022
Honoring a Driving Force in Education Advocacy - Jane West Retires from AACTE

2021

  12/17/2021
Will the Senate ever pass the Build Back Better Act?
What is the result of the higher education negotiated rulemaking session?
Are there new efforts underway to address the critical educator shortage?
12/10/2021
What sort of bi-partisan contortions were performed by Congress to allow for the partisan passage of a bill to increase the debt ceiling?
Will the Senate pass the Build Back Better Act before recess?
What is the Educators for America Act?
12/03/2021
Now that Congress has forestalled a government shutdown, what's next?
What are the odds of big increases for education funding in the near future?
Are you ready to make your voice heard to support education funding?
11/19/2021
What took the House so long to pass the Build Back Better Act?
Will the Senate take the Build Back Better Act across the finish line?
How is the Department of Education monitoring COVID relief funds that have been distributed to states, districts, and higher education?
11/12/2021
With the bipartisan infrastructure bill completed, will Congressional Democrats be able to rally the troops to pass the reconciliation bill?
What are moderate Democrats holding out for before they commit to voting for the reconciliation bill?
With only 21 legislative days left for Congress this year, can they complete their work?
11/05/2021
After so much high drama and consternation, will the House finally pass the Reconciliation bill today?
What do the results of the Virginia gubernatorial election say about education as a wedge issue moving forward?
Are you looking for a new job? Check out the opportunity in today's Washington Update.
10/29/2021
What does the new reconciliation framework include for the educator pipeline?
What education programs did not make the cut in the new framework?
How far does the proposal have to go before becoming law?
 10/22/2021
Now that we have a look at both House and Senate education spending bills, are we likely to see increases in the final product?
How much education funding will be retained in the scaled back Reconciliation bill?
What new resources are available from the Department of Education addressing the growing mental health needs of students?
10/15/2021
Congress has averted our government's default, but for how long?
Who will blink first to ensure the government continues to function: the Republicans or the Democrats?
Applications for the Kennedy Foundation's one year policy fellowship in DC are open now. Is this for you?
10/08/2021
Congress kicks the can down the road to keep the government functioning; but what happens in December?
Who are the new Biden appointees at the Department of Education?
How will the Department of Education rectify the many problems with the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program?
10/01/2021
Will the White House, the House Democrats, and the Senate Democrats ever come to agreement on a reconciliation bill?
How are schools spending COVID relief funds to re-open in person?
09/24/2021
Can you name the four bills moving like mad in Congress? No worries, read on!
Will Washington avoid a government shutdown?
What has Washington done to alleviate student debt burden for those who become "permanently and totally disabled?"
 09/17/2021
Is Congress headed for breakdown in September - government shutdown, defaulting on obligations and more?
What are the chances of new funding in a reconciliation package?
Who are the new Biden appointees in the Department of Education?
09/10/2021
What does the House version of the reconciliation bill include for educator preparation?
Is the bill comparable to President Biden's request?
What are the next steps for the bill?
08/06/2021
As the Senate leaves town for August recess, what accomplishments can they claim?
What awaits the Congress upon its return in September? What is at stake for education?
With such a closely divided Congress, are we headed for another government shutdown?
07/30/2021
How in the world will Congress complete their work before the August recess?
Is the nomination of Catherine Lhamon to head the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights in trouble?
Will mask mandates change in schools and in Congress in light of the COVID spread from the Delta variant?
07/23/2021
How in the world will Congress complete their work before the August recess?
Is the nomination of Catherine Lhamon to head the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights in trouble?
Will mask mandates change in schools and in Congress in light of the COVID spread from the Delta variant?
07/16/2021
Why are education advocates shouting from the rooftops this week?
What are the prospects for the historic new investment in education put forward by the House Appropriations Committee?
Who are the new political appointees in the Department of Education?
07/02/2021
Will education advocates be rejoicing when they see the House funding bill for FY '22?
Will the Biden Administration extend the pandemic-related pause on student loan interest and payments before it expires in September?
Will the new regulations for TEACH grants fix the long standing problems?
06/25/2021
With such a packed summer agenda, will Congress manage to avoid a government shutdown?
What is the latest on student financial aid loan forgiveness?
Will critical race theory become the controversy that halts legislative progress?
 06/18/2021
Will Rep. DeLauro (D-CT) include the President's request for education spending in her Subcommittee's appropriations bill?
What are the implications of the soon-to-be enacted budget resolution?
How is the Biden Administration unraveling DeVos policies?
06/11/2021
Where is the politicization of teaching about race headed?
How is the Biden Administration moving forward their education agenda?
What policy-relevant professional development opportunities are available next week?
05/31/2021
How would the 41% increase for education in the FY 2022 Biden budget be invested?
What programs are the big winners in the Biden Budget?
Are descriptors "historic and unprecedented" overstatements about the Biden budget?
05/21/2021
How has the question of teaching race become such a political polarizer?
How will our nation respond to the mental health crisis among our young people?
Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and advocate with CEC this summer?
05/14/2021
What education programs will be recommended for funding increases when Biden releases his full budget May 27?
What are House Republicans proposing in relation to critical race theory?
Has the likelihood of full in-person school reopening grown this week?
05/07/2021
What sort of education hearings is Congress holding these days?
What are the obstacles to in-person learning rebounding to pre-pandemic levels?
What earmarks did your Representative request?
04/30/2021
Will Biden be able to deliver Congress for his massive education investments?
How does Biden's new American Families Plan address the teacher shortage?
Who is the new Biden nominee for the Department of Education?
04/23/2021
Does Biden's proposal to increase education spending by 41% stand a chance in Congress?
How can teacher preparation programs partner with school districts to address the chronic shrinking teacher pipeline?
Will Biden's nominees for the #2 and #3 spots at the Department of Education be confirmed by the Senate?
04/02/2021
What is in Biden's $2.5 trillion infrastructure proposal for education?
What are the odds of this new infrastructure proposal actually becoming law?
What does the GAO have to say about how COVID relief funds are being spent by school districts?
03/26/2021
How will the new COVID Rescue bill help schools reopen in person?
Will the Biden nominee for Deputy Secretary of Education be confirmed by the Senate?
What is the Republican beef with the Biden Administration's testing plan?
03/19/2021
When can states and districts expect to receive their massive infusion of COVID relief funds?
Will the Biden Administration agree with progressive Democrats and grant $50,000 of student debt relief per student?
How will the reinstatement of congressional earmarks look different from the once politically suspect practice?
03/12/2021
K-12 education is about to receive a tsunami of funding from the American Rescue Plan - how will they invest it?
How can advocates influence how districts chose to invest their funds?
How did higher education fare in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan?
03/05/2021
Will the COVID relief bill pass the Senate this week - with $170 billion new education dollars?
How is the Biden Administration negotiating the twin controversies of in person school re-openings and standardized spring assessments?
The National Association of Secondary School Principals wants your input: what say you? 02/26/2021
Will Congress pass Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief package by the March 14 deadline?
Who are the newly named Biden nominees for the Department of Education?
What is the political fallout of the Biden moves on the two key K-12 controversial issues: school openings and spring assessments?
02/12/2021
When can we expect our new Secretary of Education to be confirmed?
How much funding will be in the next COVID relief bill for education?
Will the CDC and Department of Education guidance on opening school help to resolve the dilemma of how/when to open schools in person?
02/05/2021
Are we likely to see President Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief proposal enacted into law?
Will President Biden's nominee for Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona, get a bi-partisan confirmation vote?
How big is the Republican big tent?
01/29/2021
Can the Congress proceed amidst the ongoing tension resulting from the January 6 invasion of the Capitol?
How will Biden executive orders affect education?
What do First Lady Dr. Biden and Second Gentleman Emhoff have in common?
01/22/2021
What is FLOTUS Dr. Jill Biden's message to educators?
What are the chances of President Biden's COVID relief package making it through the Senate?
What effect will the impeachment trial of former President Trump in the Senate have on the progress of the Biden agenda?
 01/15/2021
What is the aftermath of last week's insurrection in the Capitol building?
What does the Biden proposal for COVID relief hold for education?
When will we meet Secretary of Education nominee Miguel Cardona at his confirmation hearing in the Senate?
01/8/2021
What are the political ramifications of the storming of the Capitol?
What are the implications for education policy with Democrats in charge of the House, the Senate and the White House?
What is the makeup of the new 117th Congress?

2020

12/18/2020
Why does Congress wait until the last minute to get anything done?
What does Sec. DeVos wish to leave behind?
What is the latest speculation on the next Secretary of Education?
12/11/2020
Will the Congress be in session over Christmas struggling to deliver a COVID relief package?
How are the contenders for Biden's Secretary of Education nominee faring?
How will the 117th Congress look different from the 116th?
11/20/2020
How will Congress manage its post-Thanksgiving agenda?
Are we looking at another government shut-down in December?
How is the Biden team progressing, despite an obstinate Trump Administration?
11/13/2020
What education policy changes can we expect with the Biden Administration?
Who will replace Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education?
Are we headed for another government shutdown in the middle of a raging pandemic?
10/02/2020
Is Congress getting closer to the next COVID relief bill?
With less than a month to the election, what impact will the President's COVID relief infection have on the campaigns?
Will infections among Members of Congress change the confirmation process for SCOTUS opening?
9/25/2020
Is there any chance for another COVID relief package before the election?
How has the rush to fill the Supreme Court vacancy in October affected the congressional agenda?
Why is the Trump Administration upping its attack on anti-racist educational materials?
9/18/2020
Will Congress allow the government to shut down on September 30?
Is there any chance for another COVID relief bill before the election?
What is up with Trump's attack on anti-racism initiatives?
7/31/2020
Why is Congress so slow to deliver a much-needed COVID relief bill?
Will the NAEP test be cancelled again due to COVID?
With the House completing its FY 2021 education spending bill, what will the Senate do?
 7/24/2020
When will we see the next COVID relief bill?
What is holding up progress on the COVID package?
Will Sec. DeVos prevail in multiple privatization schemes?
7/17/2020
Will Congress require schools to open in person in order to receive additional funding?
Will Rep. Rosa DeLauro become the next Chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee?
How will you celebrate the 30th birthday of the Americans with Disabilities Act?
7/10/2020
Will the Trump Administration follow through and withhold federal funding to school districts that do not fully open up in person in the fall?
How are school leaders responding to the Trump Administration's push to open up or else?
Will one million international students be deported because they are in on-line classes in higher education?
6/26/2020
Will Congress provide funds to support the reopening of schools during COVID-19?
Will police reform ever see the light of day?
How will the COVID-19 reshape the educator workforce?
6/19/2020
What will the Supreme Court decisions this week mean for education?
Will education get additional funding to address the COVID-19 pandemic?
As Congress faces the countdown to the election, what is on their agenda?
6/12/2020
Will Congress move on police reform? What will it mean for education?
Can schools afford to open in the midst of the pandemic?
Will Sec. DeVos prevail with her privatization agenda?
6/05/2020
How are educators responding to the killing of George Floyd and the racism it exposes?
As education jobs dwindle because of the economy, will Congress step in to help?
Will Sec. DeVos succeed in her continued effort to push public funds into private schools?
5/22/2020
What is the fate of the next COVID-19 Relief package? How will education funding fare?
Will Sec. Devos's privatization initiatives prevail?
Who is your pick for Biden Secretary of Education?
5/15/2020
Does the $3 trillion HEROES Act stand a chance? What's in it for education?
Does Sen. Alexander's dog, Rufus, have a future online?
Who is on VP Biden's Education Task Force?
5/08/2020
Will Sec. DeVos's privatization plans with COVID-19 relief funding prevail?
What will be in the next COVID-19 relief package? When can we expect it?
What happened to that bi-partisan love?
5/01/2020
How will the Senate function when it comes back into session next week?
Will Sec. DeVos's penchant for vouchers take hold during the pandemic?
Is the case for IDEA waivers settled?
4/24/2020
When can states and districts expect to receive their pandemic relief funds?
Will there be another COVID relief bill in May?
Are we headed toward solutions that aren't really about the problems?
4/17/2020
When will the funds from the $2 trillion COVID response bill actually become available to educators?
Will there be another COVID response bill? What will be in it?
How are students with disabilities being served during the pandemic? Are waivers from the law needed?
4/03/2020
How will the $2 trillion When will the funds from the $2 trillion COVID response bill actually become available to educators?
Will there be another COVID response bill? What will be in it?
How are students with disabilities being served during the pandemic? Are waivers from the law needed?
3/27/2020
How will the $2 trillion COVID-3 bill make a difference for higher education, for K-12?
What provisions of education law will be waived to address the epidemic?
What is in place to ensure education services for students with disabilities?
3/21/2020
Will the next COVID-19 emergency spending bill meet the needs of the education system?
What resources are available to assist educators during the massive transfer to online instruction?
 3/13/2020
Can Washington join forces and lead on the coronavirus?
Is it business as usual on Capitol Hill during the epidemic?
What guidance has the Department of Education provided on coronavirus?
 3/06/2020
Is the Trump education budget DOA on Capitol Hill?
Is the Higher Education Act reauthorization still in play?
Who is better for education: Joe or Bernie?
2/21/2020
How will Betsy DeVos defend a $5.6 billion cut to education before the House Appropriations Subcommittee?
Will universities begin paying education students for student teaching under a new proposal?
Who is the AFT endorsing for President?
2/14/2020
Will President Trump's Budget proposal have any traction on Capitol Hill?
Will the President's $5.6 billion education cut be sustained?
Are you ready for the return of earmarks in appropriations bills?
1/31/2020
The federal deficit is exploding: does anyone care?
How come IDEA spending increases but the federal share decreases?
What is the latest in the reading wars?
1/24/2020
What is the Department of Education up to while Congress focuses on impeachment?
How many special education teachers in California are not certified for their jobs?
What are the big changes in the House Democratic rewrite of the Higher Education Act?
1/10/2020
Will there be new funding for education next year?
What will the Department of Education learn in their new study about how federal funds are actually spent?
Who is the new member of the Senate HELP Committee?

2019

12/20/2019
Did Congress actually avert a government shutdown?
How did education fare in the new spending bill?
Who will be the 2020 National Teacher of the Year?
Would you want to work at the Department of Education?
12/13/2019
Are bipartisan miracles really happening in the Congress, in the middle of impeachment?
Are we going to avert a government shutdown, just in time for the holidays?
Can I really spend my Saturday learning more about the Democratic Presidential candidates education platforms?
11/25/2019
What did Congress leave behind as they headed home for Thanksgiving?
How likely is a government shutdown?
Is the Higher Education Act reauthorization still on track?
 11/15/2019
Government shutdown and Presidential impeachment: what gives?
Can Congress multi-task? We're about to find out.
Will Congress be spending the holidays camping out in town? Hmmmm.
11/01/2019
How will the impeachment process impact the Congressional agenda?
Are we headed for another government shutdown?
Will the House Committee passed new Higher Education bill stand a chance in the Senate?
 10/25/2019
If impeachment proceeds, will Congress find the time to fund the government?
What changes can we expect to the Higher Education Act at the House Committee markup next week?
What are the states up to in addressing teacher shortages?
10/18/2019
With the madness in Washington, will the government get funded? Or are we headed for another shutdown?
Will the new House Democratic proposal to reauthorize the Higher Education Act fly?
Who is the latest political appointee to exit the Department of Education?
09/27/2019
Will Congress make progress on funding bills in the midst of impeachment proceedings?
Is there any hope for a Higher Education Act reauthorization bill this year?
Are you interested in interning in the Senate?
09/20/2019
Will we ever see a new education funding bill from the Congress?
Can we expect any progress from Congress that addresses school shootings?
Will you let the Department of Education know your thoughts about attracting, preparing and retaining qualified teachers? They are asking for your ideas!
 09/13/2019
Is there any hope for bi-partisanship in the Congress?
What is to come of the education spending bill?
Is the education community on target with questions and recommendations for the 2020 Presidential candidates?
 09/06/2019
Congress faces a mountain of unfinished business: will they get it done?
What does September look like on Capitol Hill?
What will the ratcheted up Congressional oversight on student financial aid look like?
08/02/2019
What does the new budget deal mean for education spending?
Will Pres. Trump actually sign the new budget deal bill?
Does money matter when securing accommodations for students with disabilities?
08/02/2019
What does the new budget deal mean for education spending?
Will Pres. Trump actually sign the new budget deal bill?
Does money matter when securing accommodations for students with disabilities?
07/26/2019
How will the new budget deal effect education spending?
Can Federal Work Study funds be used to pay students for student teaching?
Whose 29th anniversary is it today?
 07/12/2019
Are you interested in an internship in the U.S. Senate? Deadline to apply July 25!
Are we closer to funding the government, or a government shutdown?
What does the new IES study tell us about recent college graduates?
 06/28/2019
What can we expect in Congress when they return after the July 4 holiday?
Will we ever see a Higher Education Act reauthorization bill from the Senate?
What are the big education issues for the Democratic contenders for President?
 06/21/2019
The House has adopted a great spending bill for education, but will the Senate agree?
Are we headed to another government shutdown in the Fall?
How do U.S. teacher compare to those in other countries?
06/14/2019
Is that education funding bill going to make it across the finish line in the House?
Is the new draft regulation changing accreditation for higher education a good idea?
What does Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) think of accountability in higher education?
 06/07/2019
Will the big education increases in the House bill last?
Voucher schools complying with IDEA and other Civil Rights laws? Really?
Are there more students served under IDEA today than five years ago?
05/17/2019
Congress considers the impact of Brown vs. Board of Education 65 years later: are we where we need to be?
Will the Congress buy Trump's proposal to take student aid money away and use it for a moonshot?
And what about that Higher Ed Act rewrite? Will we ever see it?
05/10/2019
How much does the House Approps Committee bill increase education funding? Will it last?
The Committee took on hot topics of guns in schools and charter sector mismanagement. Will it make a difference?
Where does the high-water mark bill go from here?
05/03/2019
Education funding sees a 6% increase in the House. Will it hold?
Is the Trump Administration moving in the wrong direction to address school segregation?
Our new National Teacher of the Year: what keeps him motivated after 19 years of teaching?
04/12/2019
What magic trick did the House perform to move the funding process along?
How did Sec. DeVos fare in this week's Democratic grilling?
Will the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program survive, even thrive?
04/05/2019
What about those calls for Betsy DeVos to resign?
Any chance we will see a bill to reauthorize the Higher Education Act any time soon?
Will the House Committee budget deal pave the way for additional funding for education?
 03/22/2019
How will Sec. DeVos defend her $10 billion cut in education funding on Capitol Hill next week?
Do the new DeVos voucher plans have a chance on the Hill?
Ivanka Trump released the Administration's proposal for Higher Ed Reauthorization. What's in it?
 03/15/2019
The President's education budget proposal is out cutting a whopping $8 billion and calling it "education freedom!" Huh?
What are these new "teacher vouchers" that are proposed by the Trump budget?
How do other high performing countries prepare and support their teachers?
03/01/2019
What can we expect in the federal budget for education spending next year?
Does Higher Education Act reauthorization really have a chance this year?
Why are conservatives opposing Betsy DeVos's new voucher proposal?
 02/15/2019
With the government shutdown averted, what will Congress take up next?
What are the prospects for a Higher Education Act reauthorization this year?
 01/25/2019
Is the government shutdown really over?
Who are the new members of the House Committee on Education and Labor?
Do you have a favorite for this year's National Teacher of the Year?
01/11/2019
Will we ever see an end to the government shutdown?
What's on tap with the new higher education negotiated rulemaking at the Dept. of Education?
Who are the new members of the Senate HELP Committee? And who left?

01/04/2019
What might we expect from the 116th Congress in education?
Who are the new players in education in the new Congress?
Will the government shutdown ever end?

2018

12/21/2018
Are we headed to a shutdown or not?
What will the impact be of DeVos' elimination of the discipline guidance?
Will Sen. Alexander pull off an HEA reauthorization before his departure?

 12/14/2018
Would Congress really leave town with a government shutdown looming in a week?
Are you ready for the wrestling match: Dems V. DeVos?
Is there relief on the way for TEACH grant recipients?

12/07/2018
Government shutdown or home for the holidays?
Personal reflections on President 41: are the days of bipartisanship really behind us?

 11/30/2018
What do the midterm results mean for education in the 116th Congress?
Are we really going to see 5 separate House Committees take on Sec. DeVos next year?
Will there be any significant changes in the Senate next year?
Is a government shutdown coming our way for Christmas?

11/16/2018
What do the midterm results mean for education in the 116th Congress?
Who will the new Committee Chairs be in the House?
Is Betsy DeVos on her way out?

 9/28/2018
What are we, as educators, to make of the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearing with Dr. Blasey Ford and Judge Kavanaugh?
Is that education funding bill actually going to beat the September 30 deadline?
What's the latest on ESSA implementation?

 9/21/2018
Is it possible we are headed for another government shutdown? Would the President risk this just before the midterms?
What is on the docket for education in the states?
Just how fast is the school-aged Hispanic population growing? Are we meeting their needs?

 9/14/2018
Could it be true? An education funding bill completed on time and with increases?!
What about guns, teachers and federal funding?
Betsy DeVos' confirmation hearing: can you catch it in the theatre?!

 9/07/2018
Has Washington lost its marbles? Are we headed for another government shutdown on top of tell-all anonymous OpEds?
How would Kavanaugh change the Supreme Court for education and disability rights?
Guns in schools paid for by federal funds? DeVos says okay. Democrats say not so fast.

 7/27/2018
What are the new odds on a September government shutdown?
How are states faring on IDEA compliance?
Does the new House Democratic bill address the teacher shortage?

7/20/2018
What will the new federal investment in school choice yield?
How far along is the Senate in confirming political appointees for the Department of Education? 
Is the workforce development theme a signal to higher education?

 7/13/2018
Could we be headed for a government shutdown? Again?
How might President Trump's Supreme Court nominee rule on education matters?
What is next on the de-regulation chopping block for education?

 6/29/2018
What does the new Senate Committee bill reveal about education funding for next year?
Could it be that bipartisanship can still move bills in the Senate?
Will you be visiting with your Members of Congress over the July 4 recess period?

 6/22/2018
Did the House actually reject President How are education advocates responding to the separation of children and parents at our border?
Does Trump's proposal to merge the Departments of Education and Labor stand a chance in Congress?
How will education spending fare in the Senate bill next week?

 6/15/2018
Did the House actually reject President Trump's budget proposal for education?
Is Ivanka Trump really the new leading advocate for career and technical education?
How about that pesky PROSPER Act? Is it on the House floor agenda for a vote?

 6/8/2018
What if you held a School Safety Commission hearing but no Commissioners came?
What are the chances for the DeVos education budget proposal to prevail in the Senate?
Why is Mitch McConnell cancelling August recess? Might it have something to do with the election???
 6/1/2018
What fate awaits the House's Higher Education Act reauthorization bill (PROSPER) that eliminates all support for teachers?
How was Sec. DeVos's visit on school safety to a Maryland school?
Why are three civil rights groups suing the Department of Education?
 5/18/2018
What ever happened to that big spending cut proposal aka recission?
Will Sec. DeVos delay the special education equity regulations? 309 commenters have strong opinions
Is there any chance we are headed for a government shutdown over spending squabbles - in an election year?!
 5/11/2018
Is Congress ready to act on that recission package from the White House? What will it mean for education spending?
Will military families be offered vouchers that they do not want?
Will the Department of Education roll back "disproportionality" regulations intended to address the over-representation of minorities in special education? 4/27/2018
Will Congress take back some of the money it just appropriated?
Will Congress expand school vouchers through the Defense Department?
How does the new civil rights data square with the Administration's de-regulatory agenda?
 4/13/2018
Will President Trump and his allies push to cut new funding that he just approved?
Is there any evidence to link school gun violence to Obama discipline guidance?
What about those NAEP scores?
3/30/2018
With Veterans' Groups raising concerns about the house higher ed bill, is reauthorization off the table this year?
Will federal policy makers take any serious action on school safety? What about that new Trump Commission?
Is school crime up or down these days?
 3/23/2018
Are federal education programs really funded at the highest level ever?
What is in that massive spending bill to address gun violence?
How did Sec. DeVos fare in testifying before Congress this week?
 3/9/2018
Will Congress actually act on gun safety measures?
So FY 2018 is half over and we still don't have a funding bill! Is there any hope?
What about those disproportionality regulations Sec. DeVos is trying to roll back?
2/23/2018
The massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida forms a cloud over Congress, but will there be action?
Will Congress ever deliver on a spending bill for the rest of the year?
Is there hope for a bipartisan Higher Education Act reauthorization?

 2/15/2018
Will the big budget deal boost education funding?
Is the President again proposing a new voucher program in his budget? What are its chances?
Are the odds for a bipartisan Higher Education Act rewrite increasing?
 2/2/2018
Are we headed for another government shutdown next week?
What does the State of the Union address tell us about Trump Administration education priorities this year?
Is there really any chance for a bipartisan Higher Education Act rewrite? 1/26/2018
Now that the government shutdown is over, are we out of the woods?
Is bipartisanship even possible in a 2018 election year?
Celebrating school choice week - a tradition begun by President Obama? 1/12/2018
Are we headed for a government shutdown next week?
What is in store for the many DREAMERS who are teachers, students and researchers?
How will Texas respond to the gross violations of IDEA found by the Department of Education? 1/5/2018
Are we headed for a government shutdown to start the new year?
How are the 2018 mid-term elections shaping up?
What's new with political appointments at the Department of Education

2017

12/22/2017
Congress wraps up for 2017- but what is left unfinished?
How will the new tax bill impact Education? 12/15/2017
Will Congress complete a tax rewrite by the end of the year? What are the implications for education?
What does the House Republican Higher Education Act rewrite have to say about teachers?
Will Congress finish work on spending bill by Dec. 22, averting a government shutdown? 12/08/2017
What is at risk for education in the tax reform bill?
Are we headed to another government shutdown?
Does the new House Higher Education bill turn its back on teachers? 12/01/2017
Tax reform and education spending: are we headed for a meltdown?
What will the new House Higher Education Reauthorization bill mean for financial aid? 11/20/2017
Can the Congress really get its work done by the end of the year?
What does tax reform mean for education?
Three new Trump appointees for the Department of Education: Who are they? 11/3/2017
How will the Republican tax cut proposal affect education?
What is the status of political appointees at the Department of Education?
Don't miss the Besty DeVos interview: What is her analysis of her performance at her confirmation hearing? 10/28/2017
Now that the Congress is taking up tax reform, what are the implications for educaton?
The Department of Education is moving ahead to rescind policy documents: what's at stake?
Yes, sadly, teachers get fired for being gay. Read what happened to the 2014 Oregon Teacher of the Year. 10/20/2017
How are states responding to teacher shortages?
Has the end of "highly qualified" been an invitation to states to lower standards?
What is at risk for the field of special education?

 10/6/2017
What do congressional budget resolutions have to do with education anyway? What is in those ESSA state plans to give us optimism? Lots of new reports and toolkits to help us strengthen education - what are they? 9/30/2017
Some questions: With Obamacare repeal dead once again, what's next for Republican leadership? All ESSA state plans are in: what have we learned? New reports on teachers: shortages, turnover, diversity, quality, state reciprocity - find them all here! 9/16/2017
Some questions: The House adjourned after passing all of its funding bills; what difference will that make for education spending? Are the public service loan forgiveness programs so popular with teachers on the chopping block? How do US teacher salaries rank worldwide? 9/08/2017
Some questions: Will education funding be cut next year as President Trump proposed?; Will Congress act to protect DACA?
Have we lost sight of education as the foundation of democracy?

 5/23/2017
Special Edition of Washington Update: Overview of the Budget Released Today by President Trump for FY 2018

3/20/2017
Special Edition of Washington Update: Overview of President Trump's FY 2018 Budget Proposal, the "Skinny" Version

2/11/2017
Is there any chance the bill to abolish the Department of Education will pass? Right after a new Secretary is named?

Isn't it time for a national strategy to address the chronic teacher shortages?

2/4/2017
With two Republican Senators defecting, will Betsy DeVos make it over the finish line?
Are the Obama teacher prep regulations about to be history? 1/21/2017
What is the fallout of the DeVos nomination hearing in the Senate?
Will DeVos be confirmed as the next Secretary of Education? 1/14/2017
DeVos confirmation hearing postponed: Is she in trouble in the Senate?
What Obama education regulations will the Congress repeal? 1/7/2017
Will Trump's controversial education secretary nomination make it through confirmation?
Will the Obama team continue to issue regulations until the last minute?

2016

12/9/2016
Did Congress finish its business on time this year?
What's on the agenda for January, 2017?

12/2/2016
Will Trump's Education Secretary pick pass muster with the Senate?
Who is the new education sheriff of the House Education Committee? 11/18/2016
What will the Trump Administration hold for education?
What does the new leadership in the 115th Congress tell us about the future of education spending? 9/23/2016
If ESSA was really bipartisan, why are Democrats and Republicans still fighting about it? 9/16/2016
Teacher shortages: myth or reality? 9/9/2016
Does the Congress have an education agenda for September?

Some questions:

Did Congress actually avert a government shutdown?
How did education fare in the new spending bill?
Who will be the 2020 National Teacher of the Year?
Would you want to work at the Department of Education?

Washington Update, December 20, 2019

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Dear Colleagues:

This will be my final blog for 2019. As I wrap up and as you wrap up, Congress has wrapped up too - with all 12 appropriations bills completed. I think we all need some respite and I'm hoping that for you! A little R and R with family and friends goes a long way!

1. Congress Delivers a Big Christmas Present - and On Time!

In the midst of the partisan impeachment brawl, Republicans and Democrats in the House and the Senate came together to have bipartisan votes in both bodies to pass two packages of funding bills which will keep all of the federal government running. The bills represent $1.4 trillion in spending for FY 2020 and they cover spending through September 30, 2020. President Trump has indicated that he will sign the bills today, thus preventing another government shutdown. Some key points about the education portion of the bill:

Program2019 Funding 2020 Funding Increase 
Title I ESEA$ 15.86 B$ 16.31 B $ 450 M*
Title II ESEA $ 2.056 B $ 2.132 B $ 76 M *
IDEA Part B $ 12.364 B $ 12.764 B $ 400 M *
IDEA Personnel Prep $ 87 M $ 89.7 M $ 2.7 M *
Special Ed Research - IES $ 56 M $ 57 M $ 1 M *
Teacher Quality Partnership $ 43 M $ 50 M $ 7 M *
Students with ID in Higher Ed $ 12 M $12 M 0 

*Numbers are rounded

There is some very interesting report language included in the bill in the areas of teacher shortages, civil rights data collection, homeless and foster youth.

The report language about the teacher shortage is as follows:

"GAO Report on Teacher Shortages.-The agreement requests GAO provide a report to the Committees on trends and factors contributing to school districts challenges with teacher recruitment and retention. The report should include a review and analysis of challenges recruiting and retaining special education teachers, paraprofessionals and teacher aides; the extent to which licensure requirements are waived or modified to address shortages; and geographic and demographic characteristics of districts facing the greatest challenges or shortages, including rural and urban areas. The report shall examine ways to improve the effectiveness of current Federal policy in preventing and responding to teacher shortages as well as make recommendations on potential Federal interventions to improve teacher recruitment and retention."
Text of the Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill: https://docs.house.gov/

Report language for the Labor/HHS/Education appropriations bill: https://appropriations.house.gov/

Press release from Senate Appropriations Committee: https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/

Press release from the House Appropriations Committee: https://appropriations.house.gov/

2. Morale at Department of Education Reported to be Among the Lowest in Federal Agencies

The annual survey by the Office of Personnel Management which measures morale in federal agencies reveals an overall half point decline since 2019, the first drop since 2014. With President Trump's desire to shrink the federal workforce and new policies, such as the elimination of teleworking at the Department of Education, this may not be surprising.

An analysis by Partnership for Public Service and Boston Consulting Group reports that the Department of Education received the very lowest score among mid-sized federal agencies. For the fourth year there was a decline in employee engagement. The Institute of Education Sciences witnessed the largest drop in morale, declining 14 points. The decline was reported to be driven by decreases in how employees measure effectiveness of senior leaders.

See: https://www.politico.com/

3. State Teachers of the Year Announced

Every year the Council for Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announces the teacher of the year for every state. Eventually one teacher will be chosen from this group to be the National Teacher of the Year. The goal of the program is to elevate the voices of teachers so that they are engaged in state and national policy conversations.

This year's group includes 24 high school teachers, 15 middles school teachers and 16 elementary school teachers. Among the luminaries who hold this title is Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), who entered politics and won her first term in the last election cycle. She now sits on the House Committee on Education and Labor, where she brings a strong teacher voice to policy making. This year's National Teacher of the Year is Rodney Robinson from Virginia, who teaches at a juvenile detention center in Richmond. He is a powerful voice. You can follow him on twitter @RodRobinsonRVA

The National Teacher of the Year for 2020 will be announced in the spring. Check out the awardees and see who is from your state!

See: https://ccsso.org/

4. New Resources for Educators



I'm off to Manhattan to visit my brother and his wife for the holidays. I'm excited that I will finally see Hamilton and also will take in Chris Botti (fab jazz trumpeter) at the Blue Note. And of course, you can't beat the decorations at Rockefeller Plaza.

And a big shout out to the very same brother, Dr. Thomas West, who manages my website and posts these blogs every week! It's great to have such a smart kind brother (company website).

Wishing you all the very best for a joyous holiday! Looking forward to the next decade with you!

See you on @janewestdc

Jane

Jane E. West Ph.D.
Education Policy Consultant
Cell: 202.812.9096
Email: janewestdc@gmail.com
Twitter: @janewestdc

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