Education Report October 23, 2009

1. Budget and Appropriations
-Halloween is still a week away, but already the pranks are getting a little scary on Capitol Hill.
-There was little movement toward completion of FY 2010 federal budget this week. Three of twelve annual appropriations bills remain in conference and not a word has been uttered about the fate of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) spending bill.
-LHHS funding decisions will, in part be influenced by the level of mandatory spending allocated to education initiatives in the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA). The House has already passed its version of SAFRA, the Senate is still working on its proposal.

2. ED Announces RTTT Developments
-ED made announcements related to Race to the Top.
-The structure of the program and the schedule for upcoming public hearings about the initiative.

For additional information and details on public meeting dates, times and locations, visit
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-25600.pdf [1]

3. House Subcommittee Examines Engineering in K-12 Education
-The House Science and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to examine the potential benefits of, challenges to, and current models, for incorporating engineering education into grades K-12
-Members of the subcommittee agreed with much of what they heard about the importance of offering a strong engineering curriculum at the K-12 level

For more information on the hearing, including testimony and a webcast, visit:
http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?News... [2]

4. In brief
-ED to hold public meetings on ways to improve assessments
-ED holds third stakeholder meeting
-Duncan calls for reform for colleges of education
-Report credits ARRA with saving eduction jobs
-RAND Corporation holds briefing on ending social promotion
-NCTE launches first National Day on Writing
-NBPTS holds briefing on National Board Certification and School Reform
-Forum for Education and Democracy holds briefing on effective Teachers

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