Time is Running Out to Comment on the Teacher Shortage Position Statement!
NASSP recently released a new Teacher Shortage position statement to help address the country’s growing teacher shortage. The position statement also provides recommendations for policymakers and school leaders to help find new solutions. The NASSP Board of Directors recently stated its intent to adopt this position statement, and the 30-day public comment period is now open. If you would like to send a comment or recommendation about this statement, please contact Amanda Karhuse, NASSP’s director of advocacy, at [email protected] by Friday, April 28.
Don’t Let Principals Lose in the Federal Budget!
President Trump’s recent budget seeks to halve Title II, Part A funding for FY 2017 and to eliminate it entirely for FY 2018. These funds help states and districts to prepare, train, and recruit high-quality teachers, principals, and other school leaders. Congress only has five more days to pass a final budget, so join NASSP and contact your elected officials to say you support funding for Title II. Make your voice heard by standing with the other 500 individuals who have already participated in NASSP’s newest action alert opposing President Trump’s cuts and asking Congress to fully fund Title II, Part A!
Inside the Beltway
What’s Happening in Washington?
Congress returns this week from a two-week recess with only five days to figure out a new funding package before the current continuing resolution (CR) expires. Last December, Congress passed a CR to fund the government through April 28, 2017, hoping that it would give them enough time to finalize a new budget. Time has passed and the Republican Party must now find some sort of agreement to fund the government for the remainder of FY 2017. Republicans are trying to pass a number of smaller funding bills before putting them into one large package, referred to as an omnibus. However, it seems that another CR for the remainder FY 2017 seems most likely.
Why Should Principals Care?
A CR for the remainder of FY 2017 would keep funding levels stagnant from the previous year. While CR’s are typically frowned upon by educators, it may be one of the better scenarios given President Trump’s recent budget plans. Trump has called for a reduction in spending to many important funding programs, including the Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants program, Teacher Quality Partnerships, Impact Aid Support Payments for Federal Property, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers. A CR would ensure these programs don’t get cut for FY 2017, as it would keep funding for all these programs at the same level they had for FY 2016.
In the Press
Hefty Price Tag for Vouchers in Ohio, Cleveland.com
A federal school choice program has come to the forefront of education policy, with Secretary DeVos and President Trump both supporting the idea. However, voucher programs at the state level are still much more likely. For many states though, the cost of such a program may weigh too heavily on taxpayers. This piece examines a proposed state voucher bill for Ohio and finds that this bill could introduce a program that may end up costing Ohio taxpayers $70 million.
Medicaid’s Important Role in Helping Children, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
There have been several groups recently who have called for an overhaul of the nation’s Medicaid system. However, many of these groups don’t seem to understand the important role Medicaid plays for children and schools. In this piece, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities highlights just how severe the impact of a change to Medicaid would be for our nation’s children.
How ESSA Can Promote Social and Emotional Learning, Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
The implementation of ESSA is offering states exciting new opportunities to instill programs that benefit each child. A new report from CASEL specifically highlights how ESSA can aid in social and emotional learning for students, which help students develop soft skills that benefit them while they are in school and later in life.