April 2023 IEL Federal Policy Update

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Policy by the People Agenda

Summary of federal policy action this past month and a look-ahead to the next few weeks/month

  1. U.S. Department of Education Proposes Changes to Title IX Regulations for Student Athletes: On April 6th, the U.S. Department of Education released a notice of rulemaking on athletic eligibility under Title IX for transgender students. The proposed rule applies to all elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools that receive federal funding and requires such schools to provide equal athletic opportunities for students regardless of sex. The proposed rule will be open for public comment from April 13-May 15, 2023. This proposed change is taking place after the introduction of H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023, and the passage of several state laws restricting the participation of transgender athletes in competitive school sports.
  2. Bipartisan Youth Workforce Readiness Act reintroduced in the Senate: In late March, a group of four bipartisan Senators introduced S.454, the Youth Workforce Readiness Act, which creates a competitive grant program to support out-of-school time program partnerships with organizations across the nation. This grant program, proposed to be funded at $100 million and administered through the Department of Labor, will focus on establishing workforce readiness programming for youth ages 6-18, including employment-related activities such as apprenticeships, job-shadowing, summer employment, and support for those transitioning to college. Additionally, the bill re-established youth councils designed to support youth workforce readiness and development.
  3. U.S. Department of Education Issues Guidance on FERPA and Health Records: On April 12th, the U.S. Department of Education released two guidance documents on the requirements established in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regarding the disclosure of student health records. The two documents, a guidance document for school officials and a one-page brief for students and parents, clarify that student health records are protected under FERPA, rather than HIPAA, and cannot be disclosed without parental consent or the consent of students aged 18 or older. However, FERPA does provide disclosure exceptions which include complying with court orders or subpoenas, health and safety emergencies, or for a “legitimate educational interest.”

Policy-related events and resources of interest, including federal funding opportunities

Events

  • Upcoming Event: The House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education will hold a hearing on school choiceon April 18th at 10:15 am EDT. Watch the live stream here.
  • Upcoming Event: EducationWeek will host the webinar Conceptions and Misconceptions About K-12 Education Funding: Results of the First Annual Allovue Education Spending Survey on Wednesday, April 19th, from 3:00-4:00 pm EDT. More information and registration can be found here.
  • Upcoming Event:The Hunt Institute will host the webinar An Invisible Threat: Addressing Mental Health Concerns in K-12 Education on Thursday, April 20th, at 2:00 pm EDT. More information and registration can be found here.
  • Upcoming Event: FutureEd will host the webinar State Partnerships Advancing School Leadership on Tuesday, April 25th at 3:00 pm EDT. More information and registration can be found here.
  • Upcoming Event: New Americawill host the webinar Bringing Adults Back to Community College: Strategies and Recommendations to Help Community College Re-Enroll Adult Learners on Thursday, April 27th at 3:00 pm EDT. More information and registration can be found here.
  • Upcoming Event:The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services will host the kickoff event Expect, Engage, Empower: Successful Transitions for All on May 10th from 1:00-2:30 pm. More information and registration can be found here.
  • Past Event: Brookings hosted the webinar Rethinking Education for a Climate-resilient Future. More information can be found here.
  • Past Event: Council of Chief State School Officers hosted the webinar Imagining More: A Summit on Modernizing Our Education System.More information can be found here.

Resources

Funding Opportunities

  • Federal Register: Education Department
    • NIA: Grant for Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities Program (Deadline to apply is April 24, 2023)
    • NIA: Grant for Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities—Center on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics for Young Children with Disabilities (Deadline to apply is April 24, 2023)
  • Federal Register: Workforce Development
    • RFP: Disability Innovation Fund-Pathways to Partnership (Deadline to apply is June 5, 2023)

IEL Policy Highlights

  • Jose munoz, ryan hurley, and hs youth stand outside the MN legislatureIEL and the Coalition for Community Schools sent a letter to the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee leadership supporting increased federal funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program to $500 million in the fiscal year 2024. The letter had 159 sign ons from national, state, and local organizations.
  • IEL signed on to The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights letter in support of H.Res.219, sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), who “introduced the Bill of Rights for Students and Parents because we need an inclusive, affirmative vision for public education. . . [and] collaboration between parents and their children’s educators.”
  • In March, Jose Munoz and Ryan Hurley traveled to St. Paul, Minnesota, to support three student representatives from Hopkins West Junior High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota, to advocate for funding for Full-Service Community Schools.

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