News from Washington Education Agenda: First Session, 109th Congress

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News from WashingtonEducation Agenda First
Session, 109th Congress

• MEGA-SCASS
• Orlando, Florida
• January 22-23, 2005

Reginal J. Leichty HollandKnight
LLP 202.828.1847 reg.leichty_at_hklaw.com
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The People 109th Congress

• Senate HELP Committee
• Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) Chairman
• Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) Ranking
• House Education and Workforce Committee
• Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) Chairman
• Rep. George Miller (D-CA) Ranking
• Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee
• Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) Chairman
• Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) Ranking
• House Education Appropriations Subcommittee
• Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH) Chairman
• Rep. David Obey (D-WI) Ranking

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• The People U.S. Department of Education

• Margaret Spellings - Secretary of Education
• Gene Hickock - Deputy Secretary of Education
• Ed McPherson - Under Secretary of Education
• John Hager - Assistant Secretary, OSERS
• Ray Simon Assistant Secretary, OESE
• Susan Sclafani Assistant Secretary, OVAE
• Sally Stroup - Assistant Secretary, OPE
• Announced Retirement

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The Agenda

• Congressional Action
• High School Reform
• NCLB
• FY06 Appropriations
• Perkins Act
• Higher Education Act
• Head Start
• E-rate Reform

• U.S. Ed Action
• NCLB
• IDEA Regulations

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The Process Appropriations

• The FY06 appropriations process kicks-off on
  February 7, when the President delivers his
  budget to Congress.
• Growing federal deficits are placing pressure on
  domestic spending including education.
• Some insiders suggest that the Presidents budget
  may place a renewed emphasis on block grants.
• CCSSO will be working to increase funding for
  Title I, Part A, IDEA State Grants, Title V
  Grants, State Assessments and Statewide Data
  Systems.

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The Process High School Reform

• The President recently announced that high
  school reform will be a core objective of his
  second term.
• His plan includes individualized plans for 9th
  graders, additional assistance for the Striving
  Readers Program, the Mathematics and Science
  Partnership Program, increased participation in
  AP and IB programs, and the creation of a teacher
  incentive fund.
• The President also wishes to expand the annual
  NCLB student testing requirement to include
  assessments in reading and mathematics in grades
  9, 10, and 11.

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The Process - NCLB

• Congress and the Department will continue to
  debate accountability, state assessment and other
  NCLB issues.
• Accountability
• AYP workbook amendments (submit by 4/1/05)
• Using growth models and other flexibility
• Assessments
• Peer review process (some flexibility on timing)
• Testing students with disabilities (Better
  alternate assessments for severely disable and
  gap kids)
• Additional flexibility possible through
  Congressional technical amendments or more
  likely Departmental regulatory action.