Legislative Updates

1. Budget and Appropriations
-Last Wednesday, the Senate Budget Committee convened to mark up FY 2011 budget resolution. The tone of the two-day mark-up made it clear that floor debate and final passage would not be an easy feat in the Senate.   --> read more »

The Civic Mission of Schools Campaign is asking for our help in writing to Congress before May 7th about increasing funding for civic education and changing language in ESEA to address concerns shared by NCSS and social studies educators (see sample letters attached). We have also included for your reference a copy of the recommendations letter submitted by CMS and the one submitted by NCSS.   --> read more »

1. Budget and Appropriations
-Even though Members were gone for the week, there were plenty of cherry blossoms and tourists flooding the Capital this week.
-Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced last week that there were only two winners in the first round of the Race to the Top Funding.   --> read more »

1. Budget and Appropriations
-Capitol Hill is expected to be a pretty quiet place this week. The president's signing of the healthcare bill and accompanying reconciliation bill allowed exhausted Members and staff to leave for a much needed two-week spring recess.   --> read more »

1. Budget and Appropriations
-Members were busy this week resolving their differences on the enormous healthcare reform package, as well as redesigning the reconciliation bill that promises new support for K-12 education.   --> read more »

Please find attached the Washington Partner's summary of the hearing held by the House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS and ED) Appropriations Subcommittee where Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, appeared as a witness to discuss the Administration’s FY 2011 budget request for the Department of Education.

Hearing Brief

Please find attached the Washington Partner's summary of the hearing which took place yesterday in the House Committee on Education and Labor on the Administration’s ESEA Reauthorization Blueprint.

Education Brief, Washington Post
March, 18. 2010

Historians speak out against proposed Texas textbook changes
By Michael Birnbaum

Historians on Tuesday criticized proposed revisions to the Texas social studies curriculum, saying that many of the changes are historically inaccurate and that they would affect textbooks and classrooms far beyond the state's borders.   --> read more »

Hearing Brief

On Wednesday, March 17 the House Subcommittee on LHHS, chaired by Congressman David Obey (D-WI) held its first oversight hearing on the Administration’s proposed FY 2011 budget for the Department of Education. Attached please find the Washington Partner's summary of this hearing.

Please find attached the Washington Partner's summary of an event which was held on Monday, March 15 at the Brookings Institution. The event was held to release a new report by the Brown Center on Education Policy onteacher quality titled, America’s Teacher Corps.   --> read more »