CCSSO advocates—with member consensus––on federal education matters before the Administration, Congress, and the U.S. Department of Education. Our advocacy team is experienced in communicating the implications and opportunities federal education policies have at the state level. CCSSO advocates on major federal laws including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Carl D. Perkins Act, among others. Our advocacy work often means presenting testimony before congressional committees, analyzing and commenting on proposed federal legislation and regulations, forming coalitions with other national education organizations, and informing and assisting state education agencies.
Advocacy Updates
Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released a $47.6 billion budget for FY2010. In a briefing, Secretary Duncan asserted that this budget would build upon the investments of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and addressed three levels of education: early childhood, K-12, and higher education.
For early childhood, the focus of the budget is to increase access and opportunity to early education services as well as emphasize the importance of literacy at initial stages of education. To that end, the budget includes $500 million for Title I Early Childhood Grants and $300 million for the Early Learning Challenge Fund.
In regards to K-12, the Secretary again reiterated the importance of literacy, not solely for early childhood, but for all students—especially for students in secondary school. ED intends on using forty percent of the $1.5 billion Title I School Improvement funds towards the secondary level. Also in K-12, there is a $420 million increase in the Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF) with $517.3 proposed in the budget, which includes $30 million for a National Teacher Recruitment Campaign. Charter School Grants also received a $52 million increase, raising its funding allocation to total $268 million.
Funds for higher education demonstrate an emphasis on college access and completion. One significant change in this budget would be to convert Pell Grants to a mandatory program, which would increase Pell Grants by approximately $46.7 billion over the next five years.
CCSSO is currently writing its response to the FY2010 budget and a budget request for the allocations to key federal programs. To view the FY2010 Budget, click here.
Archived Updates
Advocacy Statements
Recommendations for the President-Elect’s Education Transition Team and Congress
ESEA Reauthorization Policy Statement
Recommendations to Reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
