Federal Legislative Update Washington’s College- and Career- Readiness Agenda Brendan Desetti, ACTE Legislative Liaison

CTE’s Voice of the Field – Advocates with Congress, the Department of Education, Department of Labor and other federal departments and agencies – Through grassroots efforts, ensures policymakers hear from the CTE community – Represents CTE in national education dialogue through partnerships with national education policy organizations – One of the few organizations focused on national public awareness issues pertaining to CTE

Current Political Climate As we close in on elections, Congress is on recess putting lawmaking on hold Only bigger pieces of legislation are moving with pre-agreed upon arrangements Funding issues are driving the debate…even on authorizing issues

Congressional Recess Schedule Senate RecessHouse RecessSept. 22-Nov. 11 Christmas Break?November December 13---

Happening Now… FY 2015 Continuing Resolution (CR) Reauthorizations – Elementary and Secondary Education Act – Carl D. Perkins CTE Act – E-Rate – Higher Education Act Trending Topics – STEM – College- and Career-Readiness – Jobs/skills Gap & Meeting Employer Needs

Education Funding

FY14 Federal Budget Breakdown Other Mandatory 16% Interest 6% Defense 17% Education 2%

Impact of FY13 Sequestration

Sequestration Realities Education funding cuts were restored on average 80% in FY14 (Oct – 2014) Title I & IDEA restored ~85-90% REAP restored 100% (aka 2004 levels) CTE restored ~91% FY15 total education funding level from FY14 – No room for program funding boosts

President’s FY 15 Budget Request Total education funding increased by over $1 billion ($69 billion) Level Funds Perkins State Grants ($1.118 billion) – Does not fully restore to pre-sequester National Programs remain at sequester level Proposes set-aside from Perkins State Grants – $100 million for competitive innovation fund, including $10 million for “Pay-for-Success” projects – Reflects department’s blueprint for reauthorization of Perkins CTE Act Proposes new programs to accomplish his goals

FY 15 Appropriations Process Caps for each of the 12 subcommittees (302(b)) – Labor, HHS and Education – Current FY 14: $156.8 billion – House FY 15: $155.7 billion – Senate FY 15: $156.8 billion Perkins funding will come from this total House and Senate Appropriations Committees will write FY 15 funding bills

FY 15 Appropriations Process Senate subcommittee markup June 10 – Full bill text finally released in July – Perkins received a $5.4 million increase! Full committee markup postponed indefinitely House never schedule a markup or released a bill Congress passed short-term continuing resolution in mid-September Will work to pass full-year appropriations package before December

Key FY 2015 Appropriations Messages Education has taken the brunt of cuts for many years and we cannot sustain anymore! Remaining sequestration cuts must be restored! Support existing, proven programs to accomplish reform and innovation ideas not new, competitive programs Congress must make investing in CTE a top priority to prepare college- and career-ready students

ESEA Reauthorization

113 th Congress Student Success Act (H.R.5) – AASA supports – Significant departure from current law with most responsibility and decision-making at state and local levels Strengthening America’s Schools Act (S.1094) – More of an update to current law – Codifies Race to the Top and i3 programs

ESEA – College & Career Readiness Both chambers attempted to bring college and career readiness to the forefront through standards development Neither truly capture career readiness Senate still stuck on “college then career” readiness House left most decisions to the state and local, but no incentivizes for career readiness

ESEA Waivers Issued in exchange for state developed plans to raise educational outcomes for all students Provide relief from AYP & other NCLB provisions Intended to be temporary but waivers have been renewed for additional school year It’s poor policy but likely to have impact on a future reauthorization of ESEA

Waivers & Career Readiness States reinvent accountability for college and career ready students – Industry-recognized credentials – Technical skill measures – CTE graduation requirements – Extra credit for diploma+ AK expanded school performance index to include career readiness assessments

Perkins CTE Act Reauthorization

Administration’s CTE Blueprint CTE Blueprint Released spring 2012 Key themes of: Alignment, Collaboration, Accountability, Innovation Concerns related to many aspects, particularly competitive funding and mandatory consortia grants Not getting much positive attention on Hill

House Activity Subcommittee hearing, 9/20/13 Full Committee hearing, 11/19/13 Field hearing in Las Vegas, 3/18/14 Big focus on industry partnerships, certifications, and secondary-postsecondary pathways Likely to turn to Perkins in next Congress

Senate Activity No formal activity on Perkins, but possibility early next Congress depending on control Senate staff are gathering information Key themes: – Labor market alignment – Public-private partnerships – Secondary-postsecondary connections – Performance/accountability – Innovation/best practices

ACTE Activities Now working on specific legislative language (AASA approved) Working closely with congressional staff; particularly Caucus and Committees Helped form a coalition of groups interested in the law Organizing school visits and briefings for Hill staff, educational briefings for press, etc

ACTE Perkins Guiding Principles 1.Redefine the Federal Role in CTE 2.Target Expenditures 3.Define Program Quality Elements 4.Ensure Relevant and Consistent Data 5.Offer Incentives for Innovation 6.Provide the Infrastructure to Support the System

E-Rate Program

E-Rate Modifications FCC voted on program updates in July, which AASA supported. Not perfect but is better than initial proposal Changes of Note: – Funding cap unchanged but some existing funds freed up for next two years (FCC re-examining funding cap) – Poverty indicator moved from school level to district level – Rural / Urban status will be determined by Census Bureau Definitions. Do NOT use Rural Healthy Care.

E-Rate Service Changes ‘Priority One and Two’ are now ‘Category One and Two’ Category 1: – Applicants will be funded before any Category 2 – Voice services will phase out over 5 years – Legacy services ineligible effective Category 2: – Per-pupil cap of $150 over next five years for Wi-Fi and other services, such as maintenance.

Higher Education Act

Senate draft bill poses significant administrative burden for local school districts Educator Quality Partnership Grants require collecting and reporting significant data by LEAs Educator Prep program requires LEAs to report job placement rates & student growth rates

Addt’l Areas of Concern Unclear and narrow definitions plague the bill: – Rural Low Income School – High Need School – High-Quality Professional Development – Student Growth New dual enrollment program is prescriptive – Requires postsecondary faculty teaching courses in secondary schools

Stakeholder Advocacy

Advocacy Opportunities Visit Member state offices to meet with staff Attend a town hall or other event featuring your member Op-Eds & Letters to the Editor Campaign events right now are a great way to communicate with policymakers & potential policymakers

Host a School Visit Coordinate a date with your Member to come see your program. What is this typically? One of the most effective means of driving support Check out our tips on setting up school visits on our online Advocacy Toolkit - o School tour showing off CTE programs o Opportunities for the Member to speak with teachers and students o Opportunity for Member to speak about his or her CTE priorities to media, students and teachers

Key Resources Online Advocacy Toolkit CTE Action Center CTE Policy Watch Blog ACTE News – Policy Section Legislative Alerts Fact Sheets Issue Briefs/Sheets

New Sector Fact Sheets

Infographics

Contact Information Association for Career and Technical Education 1410 King Street Alexandria, VA Brendan Desetti –