September 20, 2019 - NSBA Weekly Update

House Approves Temporary Federal Funding Measure
With the next federal fiscal year only days away, and a full slate of unfinished appropriations bills stuck in various stages of the legislative process, Congress must quickly approve a stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government’s doors open beginning October 1. Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives took the first step toward heading-off this problem when it passed by a vote of 301-123 a short-term spending bill (H.R.4378) designed to continue federal operations, until November 21, at fiscal year 2019 levels. NSBA expects the U.S. Senate to take up the House passed measure next week, but the body has not yet announced a specific timeline for debating it. Both parties seem eager to avoid a government shutdown, so we do not expect the process to get off track. We are, however, closely monitoring the bill’s progress and will update the membership next week.

 

Senate Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Education Spending Levels
Even as party leaders try to pass a temporary funding measure, Congress continued work on several long-term spending bills, including the legislation that will eventually authorize funding for the U.S. Department of Education. Last week, only moments before it was scheduled to begin, the Senate Appropriations Committee postponed a planned debate about the fiscal year 2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies bill. The committee’s work on the spending bill was derailed by a partisan disagreement about controversial policy “riders” that party leaders wanted to attach to the measure. After failing this week to resolve the standoff at the committee level, Majority Leader McConnell announced plans to skip the committee process and simply bring the bill before the full Senate. The Senate Appropriations Committee then publicly released the committee’s bill, so that members could review it prior to the vote. The measure was blocked by a procedural vote before it could be considered, but NSBA was able to review the bill’s proposed fiscal year 2020 funding levels for the U.S. Department of Education. The bill would decrease the U.S. Department of Education’s budget but level-fund the major federal education formula programs, including ESEA Titles I and II and the IDEA State Grants program. Other key program funding levels follow in the table below:

 

Department of Education Publishes Special Education Guidance
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education published new Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guidance, “Increasing Postsecondary Opportunities and Success for Students and Youth with Disabilities” which describes how federal funds can be used by states and school districts to support dual enrollment, comprehensive transition, and other postsecondary education programs for students and youth with disabilities. Among other topics, the guidance discusses opportunities for students with disabilities to enroll in postsecondary education programs, while still in high school, and opportunities for students and youth with disabilities to enroll in comprehensive transition and other postsecondary programs for individuals with disabilities after leaving high school.

 

U.S. Department of Education Highlights U.S. Census Bureau Program
The Department of Education highlighted the Statistics in Schools program, which is a Census Bureau initiative that uses census data to create classroom materials for PK-12 schools. The Department’s announcement notes that “new activities designed for the 2019-20 school year highlight the 2020 Census and the importance of making sure everyone is counted -- especially children.  Census responses drive decisions on the allocation of more than $675 billion in federal funds to states and communities, including support for school programs and services such as Title I, special education grants to states, Head Start, and the National School Lunch Program.”

 

NSBA attended a series of meetings at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) earlier this week to discuss the digital divide and the recent proposed rules that will impact E-Rate. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel complimented the school boards and education community for their aggressive campaign in support of E-Rate and broadband in learning. She indicated the effort has been helpful and urged continued advocacy going into the future.  NSBA stressed the desire to work with the FCC on the broader issue of connecting more students to high-speed broadband.