News:
- The White House released an online interactive resource package called a Safe Place to Learn. The package provides materials to support school efforts to prevent and eliminate peer-to-peer sexual harassment and sexual violence. They are also putting guidance out for districts to consider when developing a sexual misconduct policy.
Department of Education News:
- The Department of Education awarded the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) a contract to develop Future Ready Technical Assistance for States. SETDA will engage state education technology leaders in this work at the Leadership Summit Oct 16-19.
- The Department of Education released new guidelines on how states and school districts can better serve English-language learners. The guidelines include information about using the funding for related technology uses. More broadly, the guidance includes information on using ESEA, Title III funds to serve English Learners; design and delivery of language instruction educational programs (including for educators of English Learners); information on parent, family, and community engagement; information on distinct populations of English Learners, former English Learners, immigrant students, and students with disabilities; and publications and resources for administrators and educators who work with English Learners.
- The Department of Education released non-regulatory guidance titled “Using Evidence to Strengthen Education Investments” to help stakeholders make more effective education investments using relevant, rigorous evidence to improve outcomes for students under ESSA.
- The Department of Education posted a series of fact sheets which highlights the nation’s educational progress over the last either years. The fact sheets cover the following:
- “Quality Preschool: Providing Every Child with a Strong Start”
- “Protecting Students’ Civil Rights”
- “Advancing Opportunity and Success in Elementary and Secondary Schools”
- “Connecting America’s Classrooms”
- “Expanding Equity and Opportunity through Strong Student Supports”
- “Making Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education a National Priority”
- “Elevating the Teaching Profession and Supporting Educators”
- “Increasing Postsecondary Access, Affordability, and Completion”
Bills:
- HR.6095 To authorize the Secretary of Education to carry out a program to increase access to prekindergarten through grade 12 computer science education. Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13]
- S3368 A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve college access and college completion for all students. Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Publications:
- On September 8, SETDA released theBroadband Imperative II: Equitable Access for Learning. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, Federal Communications Commission and Rep. Jared Polis (Dem-CO) provided opening remarks
- The Bush Institute released a new online tool containing profiles of education performance around the nation.
- Bellwether released a report titled The U.S. Education Innovation Index: Prototype and Report that looks at education innovation in cities and includes case studies on Indianapolis, Kansas City, New Orleans, and San Francisco.
- ACT released a report titled “More Information, More Informed Decisions: Why test-optional policies do NOT benefit institutions or students”.
- Institute of Education Sciences (IES) launched a new web site for the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC). The site features an enhanced “Find What Works” tool that allows educators and policymakers to find programs and interventions that evidence shows have had a positive impact on student outcomes.
- The Student PIRGs released a new report titled Access Denied that investigates the concerning growth of online access codes in college classrooms.
