Federal Education Update Mary Kusler Asst. Director, Advocacy & Policy American Association of School Administrators April 22, 2009

Reauthorization of ESEA – A New Vision Secretary Duncan has said ESEA will not be their first thing out of the gate. The House committee plans to being discussions off of their draft version of ESEA from two years ago. – The committee composition has not really changed. The Senate will begin informal staff level conversations from where they left off last. – More complicated due to Senator Kennedy’s health. – Still some vacancies on the committee and some new additions. The reality? Reauthorization will be difficult to complete this Congress but a lot of discussion will occur.

Changes in the Title I Regulations Secretary proposed changes to the Spellings regulations: States will not have to adjust their cohort size to be under 30. Secretary will work with states to make allowances for students who take 5 or 6 years to graduate. Change will allow states a one year waiver from 14 day parental notification for public school choice. Regulations will propose allowing schools and districts to provide SES regardless of INOI status.

Reframing ESEA: Addressing the Total Child A continuum of systemically related services and support based on a continuum of need A more systemic approach: Connecting 93 disjointed programs to focus on more high-poverty schools. ESEA 4 Titles containing 3 grant programs No Child Left Behind 11 Titles containing 93 grant programs

Poverty Eligibility low high All programs Few programs Reframing ESEA to provide systemic support for low income and minority students Continuum of Support Based on A Continuum of Need Special student groups Ell, Native American, special education etc Special conditions, e.g., rural isolation, federal installations

A continuum of services and support starts with: Educational Support The best and latest research findings Information about best practices Professional development funding Full scholarships with 5-year teaching commitment Reframing ESEA: AASA’s Proposal

A more robust menu of support for high poverty schools would include: – Nearly all programs in ESEA – Physical and mental health care – Childcare – Early childhood education – Full funding for Head Start – After school care, and enrichment and recreational programs – Home instructional support Reframing ESEA: AASA’s Proposal

Reauthorization of REAP Some changes need to be made to improve REAP in the coming reauthorization. Specifically, a number of districts are no longer receiving a financial benefit from the program despite qualifying. – Allow districts to choose which program to apply under. – Raise the sliding scale from $20,000 - $60,000 to $25,000 - $70,000. For the Rural & Low-income program, use free and reduced lunch instead of census. Update Locale codes. Need to fight changes being proposed in the Senate draft. Support the REAP Reauthorization Act

A Quick Word About Money At the federal level there are two processes: – Budget – where the amount of money to be spent is set. Fight for the maximum amount of $ available for education. – Appropriations – where individual program funding levels are set. Fight for specific programs. 9

FY 2009 Appropriations The House passed the bill in late February with a vote of 245 – 178 The Senate passed the bill on March 10, 2009 by voice vote. Title I - $594 million increase School Improvement - $54 million increase Title II, Teacher Quality - $12.5 million After school - $50 million increase ELL, Title III - $29.61 increase IDEA – $557 million increase – now at 17.4 percent Reading First – Eliminated REAP - $1.5 million increase

FY 2010 Budget President Obama has announced his budget framework but details are expected in May. The House and Senate have both passed their bills and are working on a single version. There does not seem to be enough money to sustain the ARRA investments in Title I & IDEA. Larger conversations over higher education: Pell Grants and the direct lending program Senate version contains higher funding levels then the House.

Private School Vouchers DC Private School Voucher program is set to expire this year. Language was included in the FY 2009 funding bill that will prevent DC Vouchers from being funded next year without a full reauthorization and approval by the DC City Council. The Dept of Ed evaluation showed no benefits for target group: students from schools INOI. Senate has already scheduled a hearing for May 13. We need to stand against federal dollars for private school vouchers.

IDEA Mandatory Funding Congress has promised to provide 40% of the APPE for every child in special education. – They are currently at 17.5% (not counting ARRA). Proposals in both the House and the Senate will be introduced to make the increases mandatory ensuring 40% within 8 years. – Senator Harkin (D-IA) and Roberts (R-KS) – Representatives Van Hollen (D-MD), Platts (R-PA) and Walz (D-MN) How do we deal with the investment under ARRA?

School-based Medicaid Claiming The final rule to eliminate administrative and transportation claiming was published on December 28, Congressional moratorium prevents the rule from being implemented before July 1, Need to go through an official rule making to reverse the regulations. Support efforts to legitimize claiming for school districts. Expand claiming to 504 Vocational Rehab students. – Support uniform methodology for claiming. Urge your members of Congress to recognize the role schools play in health care.

Congress will likely reauthorize the Telecommunications Act, including E-Rate – Can push for an expansion of the $2.25 billion funding cap. – Continue inclusion of E-Rate in the Universal Service Fund. – Reduction of the paperwork requirements for program participation while still ensuring program integrity. Immediate need to promote a permanent exemption from the Anti-deficiency Act. – Ask your members to support: S 348 – House bill to come… Both provide a permanent exemption Telecom Act & E-Rate

School Nutrition Up for reauthorization this Congress – Senate Agriculture Committee – House Education and Labor Committee Increased focused on nutritional standards & childhood obesity. – HR 1324 – Rep. Woolsey (D-CA) Senate bill to follow – Need to ensure exception for school sponsored events Need to look at increasing reimbursement rates for schools in order to provide more nutritious meals.

Next Steps: Time for You to Get Involved Start to talk with your members of Congress about moving forward. Get involved, make a call, don’t assume that someone else will do it! – Be sure to get to know the Education LA in DC! – 15 minutes a month on your outlook calendar. Try to talk about the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, not NCLB. Keep this issue on the front burner in your communities to help create the dialogue.

Any questions? American Association of School Administrators Mary Kusler Assistant Director, Advocacy & Policy American Association of School Administrators 801 N. Quincy Street, Suite 700 Arlington, VA (703)