Education Report for April 24, 2009

1. Budget and Appropriations
-Congress returns to take up the FY 2010 Budget conference
-Disagreements surround the extra 8 billion dollars of discretionary spending in the House resolution and the inclusion of reconciliation instructions for the President's more controversial reform projects. Reconciliation instructions would mean that only 51 percent would be needed for approval, leaving the minority party little room to oppose measures.
-President announced that he can live without reconciliation for energy reform, but will not budge on health care or student loan overhaul.
-Conferees met to try to iron out differences this week. They announced on Friday afternoon that they had reached a tentative compromise which would include the reconciliation instructions requested by the administration and also trim 10 billion in discretionary spending.
-Formal agreement likely to be announced by the end of next week.

2. College Board Releases New Report and Promotes the Dream Act
-Report on college aspirations of undocumented American high school graduates and the lack of available financial aid for attendance.
-Legislation (Dream Act) would address the issue by creating new pathways to citizenship for successful undocumented high school grads and for military service.

3. McKinsey and Co. Host Event on Economic Impact of the Achievement Gap in America's Schools
-Evidence that achievement gap costs US economy 3 to 5 billion $ a day
-NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein presented findings
-Secretary Duncan in attendance
-Analyzed 4 specific gaps, cited "underutilized human potential" and the long term implications for the American economy.

4. In Brief, headings include
-PRESIDENT SIGNS SERVE AMERICA ACT
-SENATE COMMITTEE ADVANCES SEBELIUS' NOMINATION FOR SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
-GLOBAL FINANCIAL LITERACY AND EDUCATION SUMMIT
-ALLIANCE FOR EXCELLENT EDUCATION (AEE) HOSTS BRIEFING ON ALTERNATIVE SETTINGS FOR DROPOUT PREVENTION
-AMERICAN YOUTH AND POLICY FORUM (AYPF) HOSTS BRIEFING ON WHAT STATES ARE DOING TO ADDRESS AMERICA’S HIGH DROP OUT RATES

Be sure to also scan sections #5 ("New Publications") and #6 ("In the News"), for articles of interest.