Federal Updates

| Federal Stimulus Package| 2010 Elections|

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What's Happening on the Federal Level?

FEDS TO FUND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW STATE PUPIL ASSESSMENTS
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded about $160 million to a consortium of 31 states, including Wisconsin, to help fund development of new computerized tests that are expected to provide near-immediate feedback and comparisons to test takers in other states. The funding, part of the Race to the Top testing competition, was awarded to the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium. The federal grant funding means Wisconsin will not have to pay to develop a new testing program. Posted Sept. 6, 2010
Department of Public Instruction Press Release
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article
Secretary Duncan Statement

FEINGOLD UNVEILS NO CHLID LEFT BEHIND REFORMS
As students across the country head back to the classroom, U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Pat Leahy (D-VT) unveiled two bills aimed at reforming the No Child Left Behind education law. The Feinhold-Leahy bills, which will be introduced when the Senate reconvenes after the August recess, are designed to provide relief for states and local school districts from the one-size-fits-all approach of the No Child Left Behind Law and increase resources for states to improve the quality of tests that are used in our nation's classrooms. Posted Sept. 6, 2010

FEDERAL STIMULUS FUND OUTCOME
In February 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided $787 billion in stimulus funds to support fiscal relief, direct benefits, grants, and infrastructure improvements. Read more...

Wisconsin Applies for $180 million for Education Jobs Fund
On Thursday, Aug. 19, Gov. Doyle signed Wisconsin's application to receive its nearly $180 million share of the $10 billion Education Jobs Fund. Read more ...

Wisconsin Schools to Receive $180 Million
"Edujobs" Fall Short in the U.S. Senate
Education Jobs Fund
Future of House "Edujobs" Bill Unclear
State Superintendent Evers' July 13letter to Congress regarding 2011 appropriations

CHILD NUTRITION BILL PASSES U.S. SENATE
In a surprise move, the U.S. Senate approved a Unanimous Consent (UC) agreement on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (S.3307) on Thursday, Aug. 5, just prior to adjourning for the August recess.
Read more ...

Child Nutrition Reauthorization Advances
Legislation to reauthorize school lunch and breakfast and other child nutrition programs;
National School Boards Association Issue Paper on School Nutrition

U.S. SENATE APPROVES 2011 EDUCATION FUNDING
On Thursday, July 29, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its recommendations for educaton funding int he fiscal year 2011. Read more ...

2011 Federal Funding Update

2010 Federal Issue Papers

icon Title I and IDEA Funding (98.56 KB)

icon Supplemental Stimulus Funding (133.58 KB)

icon No Child Left Behind (ESEA) Reauthorization (173.80 KB)

icon Respect Local School Boards Authority in Federal Funding Distributions (97.05 KB)

icon Permanent Funding for E-Rate Program (130.99 KB)

A delegation of WASB leaders delivered these papers to Senators Kohl and Feingold and to all Wisconsin congressional offices on Feb. 2, 2010. More information and background papers are available on the National School Boards Association Web site.

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