Below is an abridged version of RAMC’s weekly Washington Wrap Up. Find out more about Wrap Up and other RAMC resources here.

HOUSE

House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and incoming Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued statements opposing U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary John King’s upholding of ED’s decision to terminate Federal recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).

The House Freedom Caucus released a list of rules, regulations and executive orders made by past administrations to examine and eliminate in the first 100 days of president-elect Trump’s Administration.

SENATE

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) and House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) issued statements applauding Secretary King’s upholding of ED’s decision to terminate the recognition of ACICS.

ADMINISTRATION

ED Secretary King upheld ED’s decision to withdraw Federal recognition of ACICS. ED is informing colleges accredited by ACICS of additional operating conditions required for continued participation in Federal student aid programs.

ED announced a new experimental site initiative on expanded loan counseling for student borrowers. ED also released a college completion toolkit.

ED released final regulations on State authorization requirements for institutions with distance education programs to participate in the Federal student aid programs. The regulations also address State and Federal oversight of American colleges operating in foreign locations worldwide.

The U.S. Department of Labor issued a final rule that updates equal employment opportunity requirements. It also extends protections against discrimination in apprentice hiring and provides apprenticeship programs with additional time to develop initial affirmative action programs.

The White House Council on Women and Girls released a report on the Administration’s work to advance equity for women and girls of color.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]

Former Bush Staffers Helping Out With Trump’s Education Transition [Education Week]

Will colleges still use preponderance of evidence standard if 2011 guidance is reversed? [Inside Higher Ed]

Most Colleges Will Change Overtime Policies Despite Judge’s Blocking of New Rule [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Who Is Part of Ed. Sec. Nominee Betsy DeVos’ Policy Circle? [Education Week]

Democratic senators press Trump’s education pick Betsy DeVos to pay years-old $5.3 million fine [The Washington Post]

Activists and borrowers call on Obama administration to provide debt relief to defrauded students [Inside Higher Ed]

Bill seeks to guarantee veterans are career ready [Inside Higher Ed]

Education Dept. Upholds Revoking of Embattled Accreditor’s Recognition [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Effort launches to boost low-income enrollment at top colleges [Inside Higher Ed]

Only 17 percent of recent graduates say career centers are ‘very helpful’  [Inside Higher Ed]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor

House Committee on Science, Space, & Technology
Press Release: Smith Statement on Appointment of Rick Perry to Secretary of Energy

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation  
Press Release: Thune and Nelson on Senate Approval of Bipartisan Science and Technology Bill
U.S. Department of Education and the Administration

Department of Education

• Blog: Calling All Future Leaders in Education!
• Media Advisory: Secretary King to Discuss Vision for Future of Education in Phoenix During Final Leg of Department’s “Opportunity Across America” Tour

White House

• Press Release: Impact Report: Celebrating America’s Federal Workforce

Legislative Movement in Congress

S.3021 — A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize the use of Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to pursue independent study programs at certain educational institutions that are not institutions of higher learning.
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK] (Introduced 06/06/2016) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: 12/12/2016 Held at the desk.
Press Release: Inhofe, Lankford Praise Senate Passage of Veterans Healthcare & Education Priorities

S.3084 — American Innovation and Competitiveness Act
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO] (Introduced 06/22/2016) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate – Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Reports: S. Rept. 114-389
Latest Action: 12/16/2016 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices

ED Notice: Tests, test forms, and delivery formats that the Secretary determines to be suitable for use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS).

ED Comment Request: Grant Application Form for Project Objectives and Performance Measures Information. Comments due February 13, 2017.

ED Final Regulations: Program Integrity and Improvement