Category: Government Actions

USDE Issues Guidance On How IDEA Applies To Private Schools (March 14, 2022)

The U.S. Department of Education (USDE) has issued a new 55-page Q&A document providing guidance regarding the role of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) when parents opt to send their children with disabilities to private school. Students with disabilities have broad rights when they attend public school, but federal officials are now weighing in on how the law applies when parents choose private school instead. Although under IDEA students with disabilities have the right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE), whether or not that entitlement extends to children at private schools depends.

In some cases, children enrolled at public schools are placed at private schools by their parents when they do not believe that FAPE has been provided by the local school district. In other cases, children are sent to private schools by their district as a means of providing FAPE.

According to the USDE, the document updates and supersedes guidance previously issued in 2011 and applies specifically to a third category of kids — those placed in private school by their families without first enrolling at public school and for whom FAPE is not an issue. In these cases, federal officials say that some provisions of IDEA still apply.

To read more, click here.

To view the USDE document, click here.

Congress Ends USDA School Meal Waivers (March 13, 2022)

Universal school meals emerged out of pandemic-era waivers designed to help feed hungry children during the crisis. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) waivers allowed all K-12 students, rather than only those eligible for free and reduced-price meals, to get free school breakfast and lunch no matter their family’s income from March 2020 through the 2021-22 school year. 

With those waivers set to expire June 30, 2022, school nutrition advocates had urged Congress for an extension in the federal fiscal 2022 spending bill. But that didn’t happen, as an appropriations bill without the waivers passed the House Wednesday night (3/9/22) and then the Senate Thursday night (3/10/22). The bill now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature.

Not only will universal school meals come to a screeching halt this summer, but schools will also lose flexibilities and increased reimbursement rates that USDA provided through other waivers to help district nutrition programs cope with supply chain woes. 

The cost for Congress to continue USDA’s waiver authority in this spending bill was estimated at $11 billion, Politico reported. 

To read more from K-12 Dive, click here.

Sec. Cardona Releases Statement on One-Year Anniversary of the American Rescue Plan (March 13, 2022)

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021 and exactly one year later U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona highlighted its impacts on America’s schools in the following statement:

“When President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law, the Department of Education went straight to work delivering an unprecedented $130 billion to help schools safely reopen and welcome nearly 100 percent of America’s K-12 students back into the classroom for in-person learning. We also delivered tens of billions of dollars to begin closing longstanding equity gaps in higher education and help our colleges and universities invest in COVID-19 testing and campus safety, keep tuitions stable, and provide financially struggling students with direct assistance to stay enrolled. Today, the Department is advising state and local leaders on how they can continue leveraging American Rescue Plan funds to establish new summer and afterschool programs; grow and strengthen a talented and diverse educator workforce; and invest in tutors, counselors, and other school staff who can lessen the burden on teachers and help tend to our children’s social, emotional, and mental health needs. From kindergarten to high school to college and careers, our North Star remains clear: a robust and equitable recovery that ensures every student is able to succeed and pursue their dreams.” The White House also issued a fact sheet to celebrate the impact ARP funds are having in classrooms. Featuring highlights from across the country, the fact sheet outlines how ARP dollars helped schools safely re-open and are addressing the academic and mental health needs of students. You can view that fact sheet at:  FACT SHEET: How The American Rescue Plan Is Keeping America’s Schools Open Safely, Combating Learning Loss, And Addressing Student Mental Health | The White House

School Funding Trial Now in Judge’s Hands (March 11, 2022)

A landmark trial over how Pennsylvania funds its public schools wrapped up on Thursday, March 10th.

The plaintiffs include six school districts, several parents, and two statewide groups. Their case centers on equity and they are asking the General Assembly to not only increase funding in education, but to distribute it more equitably. Their lawsuit against the state argues that the current school funding model is unconstitutional.

One of the most memorable moments of the trial was provided by the defense when it asked why someone on the “McDonald’s career track” would need to learn algebra.

To read student reactions to the case from WHYY, click here.

PDE Announces Nearly $5.3 Million in Keystone Grant Awards for Public Library Facilities (March 9, 2022)

On March 9, 2022. the PA Department of Education (PDE) announced that nearly $5.3 million in funding has been awarded to 21 libraries in 17 counties for the construction and rehabilitation of public library facilities.

“Public libraries are a community staple — helping residents access critical services, resources, and programming, from educational materials to broadband,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Noe Ortega. “This year’s round of Keystone Library grants will help Pennsylvania’s libraries improve their facilities and operations to better serve visitors and patrons.”

The award recipients were selected through a competitive grant process. The Keystone grants will help public library facilities improve their operations, install equipment, and upgrade security systems.

The Keystone, Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund was established by the General Assembly in 1993. The Department of Education, through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Bureau of Library Development, administers the public library portion of this program which is funded from a portion of the state’s realty transfer tax.

Grants pay up to 50 percent of eligible costs in planning, acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of public libraries. Examples of fundable projects include, but are not limited to: ADA upgrades, roof improvements, replacement windows, energy efficient upgrades to HVAC systems, facility expansion and new construction.

To learn which libraries received the Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities, click here.