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

March 12, 2018

HOUSE 
House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) wrote a letter to appropriators asking for increased funding for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants at $1.6 billion. President Trump’s fiscal 2018 and 2019 budgets propose defunding the program entirely.

The Congressional Tri-Caucus, which is composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) wrote a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos expressing its disappointment regarding the implementation of the Every Student Success Act (ESSA).

The House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing entitled, “Strengthening Welfare to Work with Child Care” to examine the role of welfare in the child care system.

House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Scott (VA-03), released a statement after the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced its  final list of priorities last Friday, March 2, 2018.

House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Scott (VA-03), released a statement after ED’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its recommendations for H.R.4508, also known as the “Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform Act” or PROSPER Act.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies held a hearing entitled “FY19 Budget Hearing – Department of Labor” to discuss funding for a variety of job training programs, including Job Corps and addressing the “skills gap” through apprenticeship programs.

The House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations has requested that Members send their programmatic and language submissions for consideration in the FY 2019 appropriations bill by March 19. Please note that other subcommittees have different deadlines for submissions.

SENATE                 
HELP Committee Raking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) released a comment on the ED’s OIG recommendations to strengthen accountability measures for colleges and programs in the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee announced the postponement of votes on several of President Trump’s nominees, including Frank Brogan to be Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education and Mark Schneider to be Director of the Institute of Education Sciences.

The Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee will accept written testimony from outside witnesses for FY2019 Appropriations. Submissions are due by June 1, 2018.

ADMINISTRATION
Secretary DeVos  announced the Department will award Broward County Public Schools a Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) grant.

Secretary DeVos met with students, teachers and administrators at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Some news outlets are reporting that Secretary DeVos said at a news conference in Parkland, Florida, that schools should be given the option of arming school staff, potentially including teachers, who are “expert in being able to defend” schools, but she was also clear that the move should not  be mandatory.

Addressing the nation’s Chief State School Officers, Secretary DeVos delivered remarks regarding progress under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

ED’s Office of Inspector General released its recommendations for H.R.4508 also known as the “Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform Act” or PROSPER Act.

A U.S. Federal District Court Judge in Maryland upheld President Trump’s move to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This decision contrasts with earlier decisions issued in the Ninth Circuit against the Administration’s move.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that renewal applications for DACA will continue to be processed due to court injunctions.

President Trump nominated Jon Parrish Peede for the position of Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Peede joined NEH in April 2017 and is currently the Senior Deputy Chairman.

Secretary DeVos announced that more students who attended Charlotte School of Law can now be eligible for a closed school discharge.

ED will publish a notice in the Federal Register on Monday, March 12 stating that it is the Department’s view that State regulation of servicers of loans under the Direct Loan program are preempted by Federal law.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]
White House to Push School Safety Bill, Form Task Force, Help States Train Armed School Staff [Education Week]

Here’s How the Big School Safety Bills in Congress Differ, and Why It Matters [Education Week]

Devos struggles in pointed ’60 Minutes’ interview [The Hill]

Education Dept. opens door for student loan companies to ignore state authority [The Washington Post]

Students value diversity, inclusion more than free expression, study says [Inside Higher Ed]
Knight Foundation/Gallup Report: “Free Expression on Campus: What College Students Think About First Amendment Issues”

‘Please Don’t Deport Our Professor’: Augsburg U. Frets Over One of Its Own [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Perspective | Meet Barack Obama and Donald Trump, college failures. Really? [The Washington Post]

NRA Has Given More Than $7M to Schools, Analysis Finds [The Associated Press]

Perspective | How universities can arm us for the gun debate [The Washington Post]

Confusion Over Distance Education Rules [Inside Higher Ed]

Reinventing Community College To Reach Millions Of Workers — Online [National Public Radio]

A Tax on Endowments Became Law. But Congressmen and Colleges Are Still Fighting It. [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Leading in Turbulent Times: A Survey of Presidents [Inside Higher Ed]

College Culture Drives Professors’ Job Satisfaction, Study Finds [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

In a Fight Against Depression, UCLA Relies on Technology [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

GOP Bill Would Create ESAs for Military Families, Using Impact Aid [Education Week]

Do Police Officers In Schools Really Make Them Safer? [National Public Radio]

Education Dept.’s mishandling of student debt relief claims creating headaches for applicants [The Washington Post]

Ball State University poised for historic takeover of school district in Muncie, Ind. [Inside Higher Ed]

University of California president wants to offer guaranteed admission to qualified community college students [EdSource]

Enrollment in Most Foreign-Language Programs Continues to Fall [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Survey finds global boom in private higher education enrollments [Inside Higher Ed]

Give Educators More Freedom to Innovate, DeVos Tells SXSWedu [Education Week]

Betsy DeVos in Florida: Arming Well-Trained Staff Should Be Option for Schools [Education Week]

Mental Health Funding Tied To Florida’s Controversial Gun Legislation [National Public Radio]

Here’s How To Prevent The Next School Shooting, Experts Say [National Public Radio]

Washington State Defies FCC and Passes ‘Net Neutrality’ Law [Education Week]

Judge Upholds Decision to End DACA [Inside Higher Ed]

Education inspector general raises concerns over GOP higher ed plan [The Washington Post]

Higher ed groups want end to student aid restrictions for applicants with drug convictions [Inside Higher Ed]

Former Bush Administration Official Joins Education Department [Inside Higher Ed]

House to vote next week on school safety bill with no gun measures [The Hill]

Coursera, purveyor of MOOCs, bets big on university degrees [Inside Higher Ed]

Accreditor Backs Purdue-Kaplan Deal [Inside Higher Ed]

Whites dominate California college faculties while students are more diverse, study shows [EdSource]

On Its 2nd Try, Grand Canyon U. Gets the Green Light to Become a Nonprofit [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Mental Health Crisis for Grad Students [Inside Higher Ed]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:
House Education and the Workforce Committee 
Press Release: Rep. Takano: Education Department Betrays Students… Again

Press Release: Trump Administration Usurps State Law on Student Loans

Press Release: Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Denounces Betsy DeVos’ Decision to Block Protections For Americans With Student Loans

Press Release: Bonamici Stands Up for Student Loan Borrowers, State Consumer Protection Laws

Press Release: Ranking Member Scott Statement on ED Prioritizing Profits Over People

Press Release: Subcommittee Discusses the Role of Child Care in Welfare to Work

Press Release: Scott: ED OIG Confirms H.R.4508 Makes College More Expensive for Students

Press Release: Committee Democrats Promote Bold Solution to Ensure Universal Access to Quality Child Care for Working Families

Press Release: Ranking Member Scott Condemns DeVos for Prioritizing Privatization

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Press Release: Murray Statement on DeVos Attempts to Invalidate State Laws Protecting Students from Predatory Student Debt Corporations

Press Release: Senator Murray Emphasizes Need for Federal Government to Support State Innovation to Address Opioid Crisis

Press Release: Murray Statement on Department of Education’s Independent Watchdog Recommendations to Strengthen Accountability in Higher Education

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
Press Release: Five Cabinet Secretaries to Testify at Infrastructure Hearing on March 14

House Committee on Appropriations 
Press Release: Frelinghuysen Statement on Chairman Cochran’s Retirement Announcement

Senate Committee on Appropriations
Press Release: Statement Of Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On The Retirement Of Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:
White House Press Release: On International Women’s Day, the Administration Commits to Helping Close the ‘Digital Gender Gap’

White House Press Release: Readout of President Donald J. Trump’s Meeting with Video Game Industry Leaders

White House Press Release: Empowering Americans to Innovate: Science and Technology Highlights Since Inauguration

ED Press Release: Secretary DeVos Extends Closed School Discharge to More Charlotte School of Law Students

White House Press Release: Remarks by President Trump at the Latino Coalition Legislative Summit

ED Press Release: Readout of Secretary DeVos’ Visit to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

ED Press Release: DeVos to State Chiefs: We Can, We Must Do Better for Students

ED Speech: Prepared Remarks to the American Enterprise Institute World Forum

ED Speech: Prepared Remarks by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to SXSW EDU

ED Speech: DeVos to State Chiefs: We Can, We Must Do Better for Students

ED Media Advisory: U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to Visit Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School

ED Media Advisory: Secretary DeVos to Host Rethink Higher Education Panel at SXSW EDU

IES Report: The History and Origins of Survey Items for the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (2016–17 Update)

Legislative Movement in Congress Last Week:
H.R.5241 — To address the needs of individuals with disabilities within the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] (Introduced 03/09/2018) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
Latest Action:  House – 03/09/2018 Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Press Release: Dingell, Casey, Hassan Continue Fight Against Campus Sexual Assault

H.R.5242 — To require the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to conduct a survey of all public schools to determine the number of school resource officers at such schools.
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3] (Introduced 03/09/2018) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce, Judiciary
Latest Action:  House – 03/09/2018 Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction
Press Release: Higgins Introduces School Safety Bills

H.R.5243 — To direct the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education to develop and implement national standards and best practices for school resource officers.
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3] (Introduced 03/09/2018) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce, Judiciary
Latest Action:  House – 03/09/2018 Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction

H.Res.770 — Supporting the goals and ideals of Social Work Month during March 2018 and World Social Work Day on March 20, 2018.
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13] (Introduced 03/09/2018) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
Latest Action:  House – 03/09/2018 Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Press Release: Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Senator Debbie Stabenow Celebrate Work Social Work Month

H.R.5214 — To modify the congressional budget and appropriations process to provide fiscal stability for the United States, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Byrne, Bradley [R-AL-1] (Introduced 03/08/2018) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Budget, Rules, Oversight and Government Reform, House Administration
Latest Action:  House – 03/08/2018 Referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
Press Release: Byrne, Mitchell Introduce Major Budget Reform Legislation

H.R.5224 — To clarify the requirements of authorized representatives under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Luetkemeyer, Blaine [R-MO-3] (Introduced 03/08/2018) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
Latest Action:  House – 03/08/2018 Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

H.R.5229 — To amend section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to clarify the prohibition on postsecondary education benefits for certain aliens, to grant a private right of action to persons injured by a violation of such prohibition, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-4] (Introduced 03/08/2018) Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House – Judiciary, Education and the Workforce
Latest Action:  House – 03/08/2018 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction

H.R.5199 — To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow parents of eligible military dependent children to establish Military Education Savings Accounts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3] (Introduced 03/07/2018) Cosponsors: (29)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce, Ways and Means
Latest Action:  House – 03/07/2018 Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction
Press Release: Banks Introduces Education Savings Accounts For Military Families Act

S.2513 — A bill to improve school safety and mental health services.
Sponsor: Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN] (Introduced 03/07/2018) Cosponsors: (12)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 03/07/2018 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Alexander: Bill Will Help States Pay for More School Counselors, Alarm Systems, Security Cameras, Crisis Intervention Training

S.2517 — A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow parents of eligible military dependent children to establish Military Education Savings Accounts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Sasse, Ben [R-NE] (Introduced 03/07/2018) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Latest Action:  Senate – 03/07/2018 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Press Release: Sasse, Scott Introduce Military Education Savings Account Act of 2018

H.R.5179 — To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to coordinate a National Cyber Hacking Competition for high school students, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Barragan, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44] (Introduced 03/06/2018) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
Latest Action:  House – 03/06/2018 Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

H.R.5185 — To make supplemental appropriations for the Cops in Schools program for fiscal year 2018.
Sponsor: Rep. Meadows, Mark [R-NC-11] (Introduced 03/06/2018) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Appropriations
Latest Action:  House – 03/06/2018 Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
Press Release: Rep. Meadows Introduces Two Bills to Secure America’s Schools

H.R.5186 — To amend the definition of a school resource officer to include certain veterans.
Sponsor: Rep. Meadows, Mark [R-NC-11] (Introduced 03/06/2018) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House – Judiciary, Education and the Workforce
Latest Action:  House – 03/06/2018 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction

H.R.5157 — To ensure that certain incidents involving a covered employee that are reported to the title IX coordinator at an eligible institution of higher education have been reviewed by the president of the institution and not less than 1 additional member of the institution’s board of trustees, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bishop, Mike [R-MI-8] (Introduced 03/05/2018) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House – Education and the Workforce
Latest Action:  House – 03/05/2018 Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

H.R.5164 — To expand economic opportunities, improve community policing, and promote common-sense gun violence prevention in underserved communities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2] (Introduced 03/05/2018) Cosponsors: (11)
Committees: House – Judiciary, Education and the Workforce, Financial Services, Ways and Means, Small Business, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Rules, Energy and Commerce
Latest Action:  House – 03/05/2018 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and the Workforce, Financial Services, Ways and Means, Small Business, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Rules, and Energy and Commerce, for a period

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:
ED Interpretation: Federal Preemption and State Regulation of the Department of Education’s Federal Student Loan Programs and Federal Student Loan Servicers

ED Comment Request: HBCU All Star Student Program. Comments due April 11, 2018. 

ED Comment Request: Pell Grant Reporting under the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System. Comments due May 7, 2018. 

ED Notice: Randolph-Sheppard Act.

ED Comment Request: Experimental Sites Initiative Reporting Tool 2017. Comments due April 06, 2018. 

DOL Comment Request: Youth CareerConnect (YCC) Grant Program. Comments due May 7, 2018.