Legislative Hot Topics: Blog

The US federal government is facing a potential shutdown on Friday, April 8th.  The reason is that the Congress has only appropriated funds through that date and without money, the govenment will close down all non-essential programs, areas, buildings, and activities.

During the past month, IRA has been pushing for all literacy programs to be funded.  In the House passed proposal, HR 1, not only were funds proposed to be cut for the current fiscal year but this year as well.  Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program has been proposed for elimination.  In addition, the National Writing Project, Reading Is Fundamental, and other programs have been defined as earmarks and are too slated for elimination.

In the two short-term spending plans all of these literacy programs were included to be cut to zero. But not to cut funding to this year's Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program.  AND, on March 10th the US Department of Education published the grant application.  The application is due May 9th.

Back to the funding issue: Now, a six month spending plan is being put together, Striving Readers is in the Senate list of programs to fund.  In addition they are looking to find a funding mechanism to support RIF and the National Writing Project. 

This is not a done deal, a final deal has not been agreed to and without that an overall spending cut can not be allocated. 

In addition, the House Budget Committee Chair is expected to release his proposal for the next fiscal year (FY 12) and in it it is expected that there will be new cuts to significantly reduce the federal deficit by cutting spending.

 

For complete details see Federal Register March 18, 2011
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-6459.pdf

Deadline for Applications: May 9, 2011. 

Some Priorities:

• Activities to improve classroom instruction for English Learners (ELs) to assist educational personnel working with such children to meet high professional standards 
• For pre-service professional development programs that will assist local schools and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to upgrade educational personnel who are not certified or licensed 
• For the development of program Curricula 
• Enabling More Data-Based Decision-Making. 
• Improving preparation of all teachers to better serve English learners. 
• Collaborating with local educational agencies on professional development to improve the ability of teacher preparation faculty and content faculty at IHEs in preparing prospective teachers to teach ELs; 

Estimated Range of Awards:

• $275,000–$400,000 per year, for each 
• Estimated Number of Awards: 53. 

Eligible Applicants: IHEs in consortia with LEAs and SEAs

Address to Request Application Package: 
Yvonne Mathieu 
U.S. Department of  Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5C138
Washington, DC 20202–6510
(202) 401–1461 

For complete details see Federal Register March 22, 2011
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-6640.pdf

Deadline for Applications: May 23, 2011. 

Priorities: 

• Increasing Postsecondary Success 
• Enabling More Data-Based Decision- 
• Making Curriculum Alignment between and colleges and between 2- and 4-year 
• postsecondary programs. 
• Reducing Instructional Costs. 
• Improving Productivity 

Estimated Range of Awards: 

• $500,000–$750,000 for a three year project period. 
• Estimated Number of Awards: 28. 

Eligible Applicants: IHEs or combinations of IHEs and other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies. 

Address to Request Application Package: 
ED Pubs, U.S. Department of 
Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, 
VA 22304. 1–877– 433–7827. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Sarah T. Beaton, Comprehensive Program, 
U.S. Department of Education, 
1990 K Street, NW, room 6054, 
Washington, DC 20006–8544. 
(202) 502–7621.