Summary | Team | Federal Role | Current Environment | Process | Case Histories

Education will continue to be a top priority of the Obama Administration and 112th Congress, regardless of the change in control of the House. It is anticipated that the Federal government will continue providing significant funding and opportunities for innovative approaches towards improving early learning, K – 12, and postsecondary education in America.

While school systems and universities have traditionally offered critical educational training for students, in recent years, many communities have sought to leverage school and university resources to create regional economic engines, or to provide specialized skill training that is needed to advance public goals. The federal government seeks to incentivize the participation of educational institutions in these federal, state, regional and local activities. Initiatives that are consistent with the national, bipartisan goal of improving education, providing required skills training in areas such as teaching, homeland security, or health care, or growing the nation’s economy and enhancing economic development, are often eligible for federal funding.

Community Colleges are also gaining stature in a political environment focused on workforce development. The federal government is acknowledging the increased role these schools play in educating non-traditional and underserved student populations, but also as an important part of solving worker shortages in critical fields like healthcare and homeland security. Many grant and other funding opportunities are available to the schools that can demonstrate their effectiveness at meeting workforce needs in their local communities.

Areas of particular interest to Congress and the federal agencies that set federal education policy include:

• University linkages with K-12 school systems
• Creating highly-skilled workers to compete in a global environment
• Capital improvements that enable universities to offer nationally significant programs to students
• Enhanced teacher training
• Increased use of information technology and distance learning
• Improved access to higher education for non-traditional students
• Improved educational opportunities for underserved and minority students

FY 2011 Administration Budget for Education

The Administration’s 2011 budget request for education is guided by a strong emphasis on positive incentives and recognizing and rewarding success; focusing investments on fewer, more effective programs; and setting clear goals for Federal programs while giving States, school districts, and other program recipients more flexibility in meeting those goals. While ensuring that districts from different geographic regions can fairly compete, the budget promotes increased competition in awarding Federal education funds, and asks States and school districts for more in return for formula funds. Key proposals in the 2011 Education budget include the following:

• Race to the Top: $1.35 billion for a third round of awards.
• Investing in Innovation (i3): $500 million to continue the i3 program, which includes an emphasis on technology and dedicates $150 million to STEM projects.
• School Turnaround Grants: $900 million for a reauthorized program to help States and LEAs turn around their 5,000 lowest-performing schools over the next 5 years;
• Teacher and Leader Innovation Fund: $950 million for a new program to support State and LEA efforts to develop and implement innovative improvements in human capital systems.
• Teacher and Leader Pathways: $405 million for a new program that would promote alternative routes to certification for teachers and school leaders and improve existing teacher and principal preparation programs.
• Effective Teaching and Learning for a Complete Education: $1.0 billion for a new program designed to improve instruction to support college- and career readiness standards, in part through the use of technology to deliver high-quality content.
• Expanding Educational Options: $490 million in increased funding to support the creation and expansion of effective charter schools, other effective autonomous schools, and comprehensive systems of public school choice.
• Assessing Achievement: $450 million in reauthorized authority to help States develop or implement assessments aligned to college- and career-ready standards, to improve assessments for English learners and students with disabilities, and to develop and implement formative as well as end-of-course and other assessments.
• Promise Neighborhoods: $210 million to expand this initiative through competitive multi-year awards to community-based organizations for comprehensive neighborhood programs designed to combat the effects of poverty and improve educational and life outcomes for children and youth.
• Successful, Safe, and Healthy Students: $410 million for a new program designed to give local communities the flexibility to focus on their greatest needs in the areas of improving school climate and safety; promoting student physical and mental health, preventing student drug and alcohol use, and expanding family and community engagement.
• Income-Based Repayment (IBR): $7.5 billion over 10 years to expand IBR options in the Federal postsecondary student loan programs.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Reauthorization

The President’s Fiscal Year 2011 education budget further includes a potentially historic increase in ESEA funding that is intended to provide an incentive for Congress to act quickly on the long overdue ESEA reauthorization, reflecting Secretary Duncan's strong conviction that reauthorization "can't wait, because tomorrow won't wait, the world won't wait, and our children won't wait."

The Administration’s 2011 request supports an ESEA reauthorization strategy that is intended to promote college- and career-readiness, enhance teacher and leader effectiveness, deliver a rigorous and complete education, expand the availability of high-quality educational options, and prepare students for the jobs of the future.

Subsequent to ESEA reauthorization, the Administration has announced its intention to submit to Congress a budget amendment that will align the 2011 request with the authorizations contained in the enacted bill. If Congress completes a fundamental overhaul of the Act that includes the President's proposed reforms, the Administration would seek up to $1 billion in additional funding for certain ESEA programs, including a new program under Title I, Part A to recognize and reward schools and LEAs that are making significant progress and closing achievement gaps; the reauthorized Assessing Achievement program, which would support high-quality assessment systems, including formative assessments; and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program, which supports expanded learning time, community schools, and other programs that provide additional time for students and teachers to succeed.

With education likely to remain at the forefront of the 112th Congress and a top priority for the Obama Administration, there will be many opportunities for educational institutions to advance their initiatives. Carmen Group has experience assisting colleges, LEAs, and non-profit organizations in creating quality programs and marketing them to the appropriate stakeholders and policymakers.

Congress will also work on fiscal year 2011 appropriations measures which will continue to direct funding for educational programs.

More information on federal programs and initiatives can be found at:

www.ed.gov
www.house.gov/appropriations
www.appropriations.senate.gov
www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/education
edworkforce.house.gov
help.senate.gov/Education_index.html