1

What’s Happening in DC?

October 8, 2014DEC Conference

St. Louis

What’s Happening in Washington?

Ashley Lyons, DECChristy Kavulic, OSEPGinger Sheppard, OSEPSharon Walsh, DEC Deborah Ziegler, CEC

Agenda

DEC Advocacy Update Executive Branch Update

MSIP RTP Collaborative Efforts

Context and Election Budget & Funding Strong Start 113th Congress What’s Next?

And now….Madame Secretary

6 66

113th Congress – 2nd Session

Summer recess Aug 4th to Sep 8th Sept 18th - recess until after election Election of 114th Congress November 2014 15 Day Lame Duck session November 12th

after the election Many more members are working well

together; but little progress on issues important to both parties

Only 86 bills signed into law by April 2014

USA Today Poll - Spring 2014

Do you approve of the way the U.S. Congress is doing its job? Strongly approve 2% Somewhat approve 17% Somewhat disapprove 29% Strongly disapprove 48% Don’t know/no opinion 4%

Congressional Champions

Thank You Tom

Harkin &

George Miller

New 114th Congress

New Congress convenes in January 2015 Which party will have the majority in House? Which party will have the majority in Senate? Majority determines Chairperson and majority

of members on Committee Majority controls “rules” and which bills get

consideration at Committee level and which bills get to the floor for a vote

14

IDEA FY 2013 Sequestration

IDEA Part B $10.97 BillionDecrease of $602 Million

IDEA Part BSection 619

$353.24 MillionDecrease of $19 Million

IDEA Part C $419.65 MillionDecrease of $23 Million

IDEA Part D $225.14 MillionDecrease of $13 Million

SpEd Research $47.30 millionDecrease of $2.5

Million

15

Government Shut Down over FFY 2014

Last year “shutdown” while we were at DEC No agreement; shutdown 10/1/13 After much arguing, debating,

pointing fingers, meetings

and sending bills back and forth … October 16th hours before the

midnight deadline on debt ceiling… Agreement reached

Agreement #1- Budget Deal Reached In December 2013 Ryan (WI) and Murray (WA) announced budget deal Two year agreement for 2014 and 2015 Halfway between the Senate’s $1.058 trillion and

House’s $967 billion $65 billion in automatic spending cuts restored

through Sept. 30, 2015 No sequestration for 2 years July 2014 House Budget Committee Chairman Paul

Ryan (R-WI) released a “discussion draft” of his budget plan to fight poverty Expanding Opportunity in America

Agreement #2 – 2014 Appropriations Bill for 2014 – January 2014 Agreement reached based on deal Consolidated Appropriations Act 2014 No sequester Passed House January 15, by 359-67 Passed Senate January 16, by 72-26 2.6 percent increase over the post-

sequester budget for FY 2013. 

FFY 2014 Funding Levels

Part B of IDEA - $500 million increase

IDEA Preschool 619 – no increase Part C of IDEA - $19 million increase $154 million increase for the CCDBG $194 million increase for WIC $1.025  billion increase for Head Start

IDEA - Part C

12%

Federal Funding Increase

since 1999

44%

Increase in children/families

served

37%

Decrease Federal

share per child

1999: $1979/child

2013: $1257 /child

Source: The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: http://ectacenter.org/

IDEA - Preschool

9%

Federal Funding Increase

since 1992

47%

Increase in children served

41%

Decrease Federal

share per child

1992: $804/child

2014: $471/child

Source: The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center: http://ectacenter.org/

Lowest Amount

in 27 Years!!

IDEA SCHOOL-AGED PROGRAM

Source: NEA

INVESTING IN SPECIAL/GIFTED EDUCATION

FFY 2015 Funding – Started 10/1/14

States receive these IDEA funds July 1, 2015 Continuing Resolution (CR) passed before

election recess Funding at FFY 2014 levels into December Another CR needed in December Final spending agreement needed by lame

duck or new 114th Congress Could be full year CR or omnibus or minibus FFY 2016 funding looks very grim as the

agreed-upon caps are much lower!

Keeping Early Learning In Spotlight

“Early Learning Builds Our Future” on Capitol lawn 9/17/13

Moms Rising and National Women’s Law Center

Many photos of Members of Congress and Secretary Duncan with young children 

Up to 10 White House Early Learning Regional Summits expected in Fall 2014. 

Possibly in CA, WA and OH and other locations culminating in Washington DC event

ED Secretary Duncan

“It’s time to get together, both Democrats and Republicans,” to build kids up “because it’s long overdue,” said Senator Hatch.

President Obama at Northwestern University - Last Week

“If we make high-quality preschool available to every child, not only will we give our kids a safe place to learn and grow while their parents go to work; we’ll give them the start that they need to succeed in school, and earn higher wages, and form more stable families of their own.  In fact, today, I’m setting a new goal: 

By the end of this decade, let’s enroll 6 million children in high-quality preschool.  That is an achievable goal that we know will make our workforce stronger.” 

28

New Early Learning Legislation

S. 1697 and H.R. 3461 “Strong Start for America’s Children Act” Introduced in November 2013 to authorize

the President's Early Learning initiative No mandatory funding; does not include the

tobacco tax increases Funds dependant on the annual

appropriations process

Coalition Recommendations Submitted Related to IDEA New purpose statements “to increase access to

appropriate supports so children with disabilities and other special populations can fully participate in high quality early education programs”

Funding set-aside for preschool students with disabilities reserve, at a minimum, 5% for 619

Funding set-aside for infants & toddlers with disabilities reserve, at a minimum, 5% for Part C

New expanded screening requirements

Senate Mark-up Up of Bill

Chairman Harkin’s bill was voted out of committee for floor consideration in May 2014

Senator Alexander offered amendment “Early Learning Innovation & Flexibility Act of 2014”

Block grant of federal early childhood programs at state level including IDEA

Voted down on party lines Passage is on Harkin’s wish list to complete

before he retires

House Plans

House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN):

“The president and I agree more can be done to help kids get an early start on the path to success,… However, with 45 federal programs tied to early childhood development and a $13 billion annual taxpayer investment, we owe it to the American people to examine the strengths and weaknesses of current initiatives before crafting new ones.”

32

Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2013Reauthorize the Child Care and

Development Block Grant (CCDBG) First time in over 17 years.Senate passed S. 1086 by vote of 96-2

in March 2014Bipartisan, bicameral bill announced in

September before recess Passed House on September 15th  

Expected Passage of CCBDG Agreement in November Senator Patrick Toomey (R-PA) placed a “hold” Indicated support, but wanted Senate vote on

Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act (S. 1596)

Bill introduced by Toomey last year would require LEAs to conduct background checks for teachers and other school staff

Senator Reid has scheduled a cloture vote on November 13th

Senate expected to pass bill and President is expected to sign into law

NAEYC Summary of Compromise

Requires providers (except relatives) subject to licensing, annual inspections, criminal background checks; providers who are license-exempt to be inspected for health and safety.

Requires more transparent information for families who are seeking child care options and assistance;

Prohibits the use of child assessments for high stakes purposes for children and programs;

Raise minimum quality set-aside (4%-9 %) over 5 yrs Places additional focus/resources on quality

infant/toddler care; Continues flexibility in the types of innovations and

systems work for use of CCDBG quality funds Eligibility at min of 12 months, regardless of change in

family’s income/work, training, or education status.

Autism CARES Act

“Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2014”

Designates official in HHS to oversee the implementation of the law and ensure accountability;

Changes the make-up and authority of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC);

Authorizes a review and federal report concerning challenges of youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) transitioning from school to post-secondary education, employment, and adult supports and services; and

Focuses attention to the provision of respite services for families of children and adults with ASD.

Some Other Bills

Home Visiting was facing hard sunset September 30, 2014 and received an extension in March 2014

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed by President Obama on July 22 reauthorizes the nation’s workforce development and adult education programs

CR extends the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program through December 11. Congress will need to take action on another TANF extension

Online Updates

Dept Education's Office of Early Learning

list serv and monthly newsletter at

www.ed.gov/early-learning White House Disability Group

email disability@who.eop.gov and provide your full name, city, state, and organization.

Bi weekly Ed Review email Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov 

“We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Thank You!