Delivered via email: January 30, 2023
Both chambers of Congress were in recess last week but returned this week to continue organizing. The State of the Union will take place February 7 with members now awaiting the release of President Joe Biden’s FY 2024 budget request. A review of recent federal public policy issues affecting K-12 education and employment follows. Points of interest include a prize challenge for innovative learning technologies, the future of teaching American History, a grant to expand community schools, the importance of youth career development, and awards to support cradle-to-career solutions.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES $6 MILLION PRIZE TO DEVELOP K-12 LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES
A $6 million prize challenge was recently launched by the National Science Foundation to develop innovative learning technologies for K-12 students. Known as the Visionary Interdisciplinary Teams Advancing Learning (VITAL), the challenge will focus on providing funding and training to build K-12 learning technology.
WEBINAR DISCUSSED FUTURE OF TEACHING AMERICAN HISTORY
In mid-January, a webinar hosted by the American Enterprise Institute’s Conservative Education Reform Network discussed the future of teaching American History. Political ideologies and viewpoints often shape the curriculum taught in classrooms while student reading levels have not yet been developed in primary grades. An archived recording of the webinar can be found online.
ED ANNOUNCES $63M TO EXPAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
The Department of Education announced $63 million in new five-year Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grants. The grants will help expand existing community schools or establish new programs in several states and territories, including nearly $6 million awarded to five Illinois locations. Additional information can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website.
EXPERT PANEL EXAMINES IMPORTANCE OF YOUTH CAREER DEVELOPMENT
A webinar titled “New Skills for a New Economy: The Rising Importance and Popularity of Youth Career Development” was recently hosted by the Progressive Policy Institute. Career learning in high schools provides opportunities like those that currently exist in postsecondary education. An archived recording of the webinar is available.
ED AWARDS OVER $35M TO SUPPORT CRADLE-TO-CAREER SOLUTIONS
New awards totaling over $35 million were awarded to the Promise Neighborhood and Project Prevent grant programs were recently announced by the Department of Education. Coordinated support services and programs provided to students from low-income backgrounds as well as local educational agencies (LEAs) impacted by community violence. Additional details can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website.
EDUCATIONAL ARTICLES IN THE NEWS
These 4 Charts Explain Federal Fiscal 2023 K-12 Spending
K-12 Dive (January 13, 2023)
Creating Equitable Access to Computer Science Education
EdNote (January 19, 2023)
Workforce Development, K-12 Teacher Shortages Top List of State Higher Ed Leaders’ Concerns
Higher Ed Dive (January 20, 2023)
FUTURE HEARINGS AND EVENTS
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Webinar: White House Black Initiative Lunch and Learn on Grant Opportunities (E&S)
Subject: Department of Education program staff in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education will brief stakeholders about upcoming grant opportunities.
Time: 11 a.m. Central time
Registration: Register here
Webinar: Smart ESSER Investments: Leveraging Edtech for Equitable Learning Acceleration (E&S)
Subject: Whiteboard Advisors will explore the role emerging technologies can play in accelerating learning and addressing the ongoing effects of lost instructional time during the pandemic.
Participants: Anna Edwards, Chief Advocacy Officer, Whiteboard Advisors; Shawn Bird, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer, Houston Independent School District; Leann Bradshaw, Assistant Superintendent; Orange County (Florida) Public Schools; and Sophia Mendoza, Director of Instructional Technology Initiative, Los Angeles Unified School District.
Time: 2 p.m. Central time
Registration: Register here
LINKS FOR FEDERAL HEARINGS, LEGISLATION, AND EVENTS
U.S. House and Senate 2022 Schedule
U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor
U.S. Senate Budget Committee
Congressional Budget Office
Federal legislative information
This Federal Legislative Report was written with assistance from the Consortium of State School Boards Associations.