Update
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to modernize, upgrade, and green America’s schools by a vote of 275 to 155. The 21st Century Green High Performing Public School Facilities Act, (H.R. 2187), invests billions of dollars in school repair and renovation projects that would create safer, healthier, and more energy-efficient learning environments for students (For more information, click here).
Lawmakers announced new benefits that will take effect July 1 to make college more affordable for students and allow borrows to cap their monthly student loan payments at a reasonable percentage of their income. The benefits were established under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, a law Congress enacted in 2007 that provided an additional $20 billion in federal student aid for students at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Next Week on Capitol Hill
Tuesday, May 19: The House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing to examine abusive and deadly uses of seclusion and restraint in U.S. schools (For more information, click here).
Wednesday, May 20: U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will testify before the House Education and Labor Committee about President Obama’s agenda for transforming American education. This will mark Secretary’s first appearance on Capitol Hill to outline the President’s education goals (For more information, click here).
Thursday, May 21: The House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing to examine proposals that will make historic increases in college aid by enacting reforms that will make the nation’s federal student loan programs more reliable, effective and efficient for students, families and taxpayers (For more information, click here).
Federal Register Announcements
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, CFDA Number 84.031S [OPE]. Office of Postsecondary Education; Overview Information; Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program (May 15, 2009).
Overview Information; Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; Vocational Rehabilitation Services Projects for American Indians with Disabilities; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, CFDA Number 84.250A [OSERS] (May 14, 2009).
Notice announcing application deadline; Department of Education; Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Program; CFDA Numbers 84.394 and 84.397 [OESE] (May 13, 2009).
Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, (CFDA) Number 84.116S [OPE]. Office of Postsecondary Education; Overview Information; Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, FIPSE- Special Focus Competition: The U.S.-Russia Program: Improving Research and Educational Activities in Higher Education (May 8, 2009).
Notice of intent to fund down the fiscal year (FY) 2008 grant slate for the GEAR UP Program [OPE]; Department of Education; Office of Postsecondary Education; Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) CFDA No. 84.334S (State Grants) and 84.334A (Partnership Grants) (May 8, 2009).
New Legislation
H.AMDT.135 to H.R.2187 An amendment numbered 14 printed in House Report 111-106 to require the GAO to conduct a study within one year of enactment on the extent and types of projects in keeping with the uses of funds authorized, the geographic distribution of green, high-performing schools (including by urban, suburban, and rural areas), and the relative access to such schools of the demographic groups described in section 1111(b)(2)(C)(v) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. These groups include: economically-disadvantaged students, students from major racial and ethnic groups, students with disabilities, and students with limited English proficiency. Sponsor: Rep Schrader, Kurt [OR-5] (introduced 5/13/2009)
H.AMDT.133 to H.R.2187 An amendment numbered 12 printed in House Report 111-106 to allow funds to be used to install and upgrade recreational structures and physical education facilities. Sponsor: Rep Heinrich, Martin [NM-1] (introduced 5/13/2009)
H.AMDT.124 to H.R.2187 An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 111-106 to add a new section 314 requiring the Secretary of Education to establish an Advisory Council to the Secretary on green, high-performing schools. The Council advises the Secretary on the impact of green, high-performing schools on teaching and learning, health energy costs and environmental impact; works with the Secretary to recommend Federal policies to increase the number of green, high-performing schools; provides technical assistance to states; and identifies Federal policies that are barriers to helping states make schools green and high-performing. The Council consults with the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, the Commerce Secretary, Energy Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretary, Labor Secretary, EPA Administrator, and the GSA Administrator. Sponsor: Rep Titus, Dina [NV-3] (introduced 5/13/2009).
H.R.2446 / S.1052: To amend the small rural school achievement program and the rural and low-income school program under part B of title VI of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Sponsor: Rep Pomeroy, Earl [ND] / Sen Conrad, Kent [ND] (introduced 5/14/2009) (introduced 5/14/2009)
H.R.2403: To provide loan forgiveness to teachers of integrated career and technical education coursework at rural secondary schools. Sponsor: Rep Wilson, Charles A. [OH-6] (introduced 5/14/2009)
H.R.2377: To direct the Secretary of Education to establish and administer an awards program recognizing excellence exhibited by public school system employees providing services to students in pre-kindergarten through higher education. Sponsor: Rep Titus, Dina [NV-3] (introduced 5/12/2009).
H.R.2356 : To amend section 1119 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require each State educational agency receiving assistance under part A of title I of such Act to consider a teacher highly qualified if the teacher is (or was) highly qualified in at least 1 other State and has at least 5 years of teaching experience. Sponsor: Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] / (introduced 5/12/2009)
U.S. Department of Education Headlines
U.S. Education Secretary Delivers Commencement Address at St. Michael's College and Continues "Listening And Learning" Tour in Vermont. Click here.
U.S. Education Secretary Takes "Listening and Learning" Tour to Detroit. Click here.
More than $1.8 Billion in Recovery Funds Now Available for Florida to Save Teaching Jobs and Drive Education Reform. Click here.
Duncan Names Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue to National Assessment Governing Board. Click here.
More Than $266 Million in Recovery Funds Now Available for Nevada to Save Teaching Jobs and Drive Education Reform. Click here.
More Than $1 Billion in Recovery Funds Now Available for Georgia to Save Teaching Jobs and Drive Education Reform. Click here.
More Than $2 Billion in Recovery Funds Now Available for New York to Save Teaching Jobs and Drive Education Reform. Click here.
Duncan Wants Title I Dollars to Drive Reform. Click here.
