Federal News
DeVos’ Title IX proposal another big HEA hurdle
It was already unlikely that Congress would reauthorize the Higher Education Act in 2019, and now it may well be impossible — thanks to the Trump administration’s sweeping rewrite of the rules for how schools handle sexual harassment and assault allegations.
Farm bill to boost historically black colleges, universities
The farm bill heading to President Donald Trump’s desk is a boon for historically black land-grant universities, which will see millions in new funding and some policy tweaks they’ve long sought.
State News
Kentucky alters plan for new high school graduation rules
12/03/18 – “Kentucky’s education commissioner has scaled back proposed new high school graduation requirements after some districts worried they wouldn’t have the resources needed for their students to graduate. Wayne Lewis announced the changes Monday, two days before the state Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the new requirements after a public comment period.”
Ohio classes of 2019, 2020 get alternative paths to diploma
12/07/18 – “Ohio lawmakers are giving high school students more flexibility in how they can earn diplomas in 2019 and 2020. The changes are similar to those made for the class of 2018 after educators warned that too many students were at risk of not meeting higher test score requirements to graduate on time.”
12/09/18 – “Members of the state Board of Regents have spent the past several months discussing where state education dollars are most needed next fiscal year. And while their request will help guide lawmakers as they hash out a spending plan by the April 1 deadline, the final dollar amount is out of the hands of the Regents or other state education department officials”
Research & Analysis
Governance in Early Childhood Education
This Education Trends report examines the different structures and strategies — including the creation of state offices, the consolidation of others, and collaboration and coordination across several state agencies – used in the states to govern early education. State examples and policy considerations are included to provide insight and help address the many challenges policymakers face when coordinating and aligning early childhood education