CEC Policy Insider

President Trump’s First Official State of the Union – Short on Education!

In President Trump’s 80-minute State of the Union address to Congress, there was only one specific mention to education which was framed around continued economic prosperity. His focus was on career and technical education - “Let us open great vocational schools so our future workers can learn a craft and realize their full potential.” Unfortunately, no specifics were given.

The President introduced his plan for dealing with immigration policy supported by some Republicans but opposed by almost all Democrats. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is inextricably connected to education as approximately 250,000 students and 9,000 teachers are DACA recipients. There is uncertainty about the future for those students and teachers.

 

In the address, the President also unveiled a vague $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan. There were few policy specifics on infrastructure. While some had hoped that school construction would be a part of the plan, it appears that the Trump administration is not planning to make school construction a part of its proposal. The Democrats want the infrastructure plan to include funds and partnerships with states in order to modernize and repair schools, however, the Republicans do not support school construction and believe states and locals are responsible. Many are wondering how the President plans to fund this plan.

 

The following statement was released after the President’s address by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy De Vos: “America must do better to prepare our students for success in the 21^st century economy. I join the President in calling on Congress to act in the best interest of students and expand access to more education pathways.”

 

The Democratic response to the State of the Union address was given by Joseph Kennedy III of Massachusetts. Kennedy characterized the Democratic Party as one that helps all, unlike the Republican Party who chooses only some. Kennedy stated, “So here is the answer Democrats offer tonight: we choose both. We fight for both. Because the strongest, richest, greatest nation in the world shouldn’t leave any one behind.”

 

President Trump’s State of the Union address is a missed opportunity for children and youth with exceptionalities, their families and the professionals who work on their behalf.

Special Education Toolkit: Guidance for Charter School Authorizers

A new resource from the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) and the National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools (NCSECS) provides crucial, comprehensive guidance regarding how effective oversight can be leveraged to ensure the quality of education provided to students with disabilities in charter schools. This Special Education Toolkit highlights best practices with the hopes that more authorizers will consider the needs of students with disabilities during each phase of the charter school lifecycle. The toolkit offers a useful summary of applicable laws and regulations; provides a rubric and tools outlining important considerations for special education oversight; profiles exemplary authorizers who are effectively addressing special education; and addresses important financial considerations relating to special education in charter schools.

EASPD Releases Review of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020

The European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) has released a report on the European Disability Strategy (EDS) 2010-2020. This report reviews the extent to which the EDS 2010-2020 has assisted disability service providers in the full implementation of the UN CRPD.

The report is based on the feedback from 33 members representing organizations from 19 countries, collected via a questionnaire concerning 5 of the key areas of action support services: accessibility, participation, education and training, employment and social protection.

Members were able to provide feedback on the challenges that impede development in the 5 key areas as well as suggest actions which can help to empower people with disabilities.

Federal Government Shuttered for Three Days: Shutdown Now Over!

On Friday, January 19 at midnight the third stop gap continuing resolution (CR) expired with no hope to keep the federal government open. The federal government shut down for three days as appropriations had not been enacted for fiscal year 2018 due to policy differences among Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate. After a weekend of debate in the Senate, they voted to pass a 4^th continuing resolution to keep the government open and funded until February 8, 2018. The House passed the resolution and the President signed the CR on Monday evening.

Senate Democrats accepted Majority Leader, McConnell’s promise to bring legislation to the Senate floor to extend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) protection for “DREAMERS” in exchange for voting on yet another stop gap measure until February 8. The bill also funds the Children’s Health Insurance Program for six years. A budget deal is still needed for full-year funding.

Stay tuned!

ED Approves ESSA State Plans

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently announced the approval of a number of consolidated state plans under ESSA.  Minnesota and West Virginia (January 10 release), Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico (January 16 release), and Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Montana and New Hampshire (January 19 release) were among the states and Puerto Rico to submit their state plans by the final deadline of September 18.

ESSA requires the Secretary to issue a written determination within 120 days of a state’s submission of its plan, unless the state requests additional time for its revisions.