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| AAE Federal Update July 11, 2011 |
| posted by: Alix | July 11, 2011, 05:00 AM |
|
Third Education Reform Bill Introduced in House Committee
Chairman Kline said, "Superintendents and principals from across the nation repeatedly tell me they need more freedom to decide how federal education dollars should be used to support students. Washington bureaucrats cannot dictate how money is best spent in the classroom - those decisions should be left to the teachers, school administrators, superintendents, principals, and state leaders who have an integral knowledge of the needs of our kids. The State and Local Funding Flexibility Act will help get the federal government out of the way of student achievement and encourage more innovative education reforms on the local level." Under current law, the federal government operates multiple elementary and secondary education programs, each with their own set of strict and complex rules mandating exactly how funds may be spent by local school districts and grant recipients. This process of funneling funding through separate streams severely limits states' and school districts' ability to apply federal funds to the local education priorities and attach federal dollars to specific projects. The State and Local Funding Flexibility Act will allow states and school districts flexibility in the use of federal education funds, thus supporting more opportunities to fulfill local education priorities and needs as they arise. In an effort to introduce the legislation, Chairman Kline spoke with Former Secretary of Education Bill Bennett on his daily radio show. Click here to listen to Chairman Kline's account of the legislation and why it will best serve the needs of our schools. Click here to read a summary of H.R. 1891. Education Leaders Disagree on NCLB Path to Reauthorization
Although Secretary Duncan's "relief" indicates a shift in tone, he claims he is not stepping away from accountability in schools. In an opinion editorial explaining his position in Politico, Secretary Duncan asserted, "The purpose of our administration's plan is not to give states and districts a reprieve from accountability but, rather, to unleash energy for reform at the local level even as Congress works to rewrite the law." In response to the Department of Education's line in the sand, Chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce John Kline penned an opinion piece of his own, arguing the dangers of a blanket waiver strategy. Relief could actually equate greater ties to Washington according to Kline. "For more than a decade, 'accountability' has meant reporting to, and taking direction from, the U.S. secretary of education. But it has become clear that putting Washington in the role of the nation's superintendent leads to overly prescriptive mandates and top-down regulations, ultimately stifling local innovation." Further, insiders argue that Secretary Duncan doesn't have the legal authority to issue such waivers. AAE Executive Director Gary Beckner echoed the opinions of congressional leaders and the reform-oriented organization Chiefs for Change who warn a blanket waiver will derail progress toward an ultimate solution for the nation's school children. "There is no quick fix to the problems faced by No Child Left Behind and a blanket waiver has the potential to halt meaningful progress toward creating a system that has worked in part for schools, teachers and students. AAE supports a timely approach to reauthorization that promotes flexibility first. Clearly a one-size-fits-all system does not work. While waivers may be necessary in certain rare circumstances, blanket waivers would erode overall accountability within school systems and potentially block student opportunity and outcomes." While experts argue the merits of blanket waivers, all parties agree that something needs to be done. In the last few months, states like Kansas and Arkansas have asked the Department of Education for formal waivers of the 2014 deadline, citing regulation struggles. While these waivers were originally denied by the Department, with no action, the original requests could certainly be revisited. Second Education Reform Bill Introduced and Passed in House Committee On the heels of the heated rhetoric between the Department of Education and congressional leaders regarding ESEA reauthorization, House leadership introduced another bill meant to combat inefficiencies in NCLB. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, introduced legislation to empower parents and students with greater access to quality education opportunities. The Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act (H.R. 2218) is meant to modernize outdated federal laws in an effort to help facilitate the development and expansion of high-quality charter schools. Under current law, the federal charter school program awards grants to states for the development of new charter schools, but does not include support for the replication or expansion of successful charter schools. H.R. 2218 is meant to modernize the program, providing states more incentives to support the development and expansion of successful charter schools. Additionally, the legislation will increase support for charter school quality, ensuring taxpayer dollars are being used effectively to promote improved student achievement. "An estimated 420,000 students in the U.S. are on charter school waitlists, desperate to escape underperforming public schools," Congressman Hunter stressed. "It's time we enhance school choice by improving access to charter schools. These innovative institutions empower parents to play a more active role in their children's education, open doors for teachers to pioneer fresh teaching methods, and promote high academic standards. By facilitating the development and expansion of successful charter schools, H.R. 2218 will provide parents and children more opportunities for a better education." Last month, the Committee cleared the legislation for full House consideration, passing it through with a strong 34 to 5 bipartisan vote. Chairman John Kline was pleased with the vote count, saying, "I am pleased both sides of the committee have come together to support the bill. Decisions about how to keep children learning and engaged in the classroom should largely be left to the parents, teachers, and school officials who are on the ground, interacting with children and the community on a daily basis..." Several key Republican committee members issued statements praising the legislation's approval. Congressman Buck McKeon (R-CA) said, "Many students get trapped in failing schools and need a way out; public charter schools serve as a consistently high-quality alternative." Congressional insiders are calling the bill's speedy push through committee a good sign for future success. Charter schools are seen as a possible solution for both sides of the aisle. While No Child Left Behind's overhaul remains in limbo, many stakeholders see passage of several smaller, more pointed pieces of legislation as more likely than one large bill. Click here to view a summary of H.R. 2218. Click here to view last week's mark-up of The Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act." USDA Plans to Screen Food Service Companies Working in Cafeterias The U.S. Department of Agriculture has made plans to look closely at whether the food-service-management companies running American school cafeterias are passing along their true costs to the districts that employ them. The audit and investigation will begin this August, said Alison Decker, a lawyer in the USDA's office of inspector general. The investigation comes on the heels of a landmark law suit and then settlement between the New York state attorney general and Sodexo, one of the world's largest food service providers. Sodexo agreed to pay $20 million to resolve allegations that it had over-charged nearly 21 school districts and the State University of New York system for the food provided to students. Last year's settlement prompted Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro, (D-CT) to write a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack as a means to advocate for an audit into these companies. At a time when states and districts are facing budget shortfalls, coupled with a nationwide push toward student nutrition, the misappropriation of taxpayer funds for school meals is hitting critical mass. According to the most recent USDA statistics from 2007, more than 13 percent of American school districts use a food-service-management company for their cafeteria. An audit into these companies could turn up wasteful spending in countless school systems. While the USDA has not yet indicated which companies they plan on auditing, previously under fire Sodexo has indicated that they will participate fully in any federal investigation. AAE Out and About in Washington, D.C. This summer, our nation's capital is abuzz with federal education developments. In an effort to keep our membership well informed, the AAE policy staff has been attending various events around Washington D.C. "Like" us on Facebook and keep track of AAE's event schedule for weekly posts and summaries from congressional hearings and policy events.
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