1. Jane West @janewestdc April 23, 2019
Washington Update
Jane West
@janewestdc
April 23, 2019

2. A Profession in Crisis
“McCall now lives with her fiance and a golden retriever named Hoover in Savannah, where she waits tables at a bistro near the river. The hours are shorter and the pay is better than in the career she earned a master’s degree to pursue, she said.”
This deprofessionalization is killing the soul of teaching. Teachers need the freedom to teach.“ Randi Weingarten

3. Shortages 48 states report shortage in sped
17% decline in sped teachers; 400,000 increase in students
Lowering of state certification requirements for teachers-fuels turnover
Increased micro-management of teaching
35% decrease in enrollment in teacher prep programs
Low salaries, lack of administrative support
Sped faculty shortage

4. Washington’s Response? President’s FY 2020 Budget Proposal
$8.5 B cut from current levels
Eliminates 29 programs
Title II ESSA
TQP Title II HEA
New $5 B voucher program
New $170 million “teacher voucher” program
Eliminates Public Service Loan Forgiveness

5. Congressional Action Appropriations
President’s Budget: DOA
House to mark up bill next week
Raised budget caps so likely will be high mark for FY 2020
Senate will move next; more moderate than House
Time to Advocate is NOW!

6. Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act
Senate moving/bipartisan
Goal: Bill by summer!
Title II: Teacher Quality Partnership Grants, Data collection and accountability
Three teacher Loan Forgiveness programs
TEACH grants
Ivanka Trump leading Administration in reauthorization

7. Democratic Presidential Contenders
Debt Free College
School Safety/guns
Teacher pay
Charter schools/ed reform
Unions interviewing
First debate: JUNE
SIX SENATORS
Bernie Sanders (HELP COM)
Elizabeth Warren (HELP COM)
Kamala Harris
Kristen Gillibrand
Corey Booker
Amy Klobuchar

8. It’s On US!!! Tell your story Focus on solutions Develop relationships
Participate in advocacy events!
AACTE: June 2-5
SELS/CEC/CASE: July 7-10
Sign up NOW!

9. AND REMEMBER…………………………….
IF YOU’RE NOT AT THE TABLE….. YOU’RE PROBABLY ON THE MENU!