04/10/2015
Legislative Activity - March 2015
Legislative Activity - March 2015
HR 1447 - Perkins Modernization Act
Rep. Kennedy III (D-MA) introduced the Perkins Modernization Act on 3/18/15. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. There are currently 3 co-sponors; Reps. Polis (D-CO), Davis (R-IL) and Kinzinger (R-IL).
The Perkins Modernization Act would change Perkins so that workforce data was utilized to meet the needs of the local labor market. Kennedy's bill would adjust the legislative language of the Perkins Act to ensure that CTE efforts across the country take into account the trends and projections identified by labor market data.
HR 1079 - The Counseling for Career Choice Act
Introduced on 2/25/15 by Rep. Langevin (D-RI) and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. There are currently 11 co-sponsors, 10 Democrats and 1 Republican.
The Counseling for Career Choice Act would amend the ESEA to provide competitive grants to states to establish a comprehensive school counseling program. Lobbyit was successful in working with Rep. Langevin's staff to include provisions aimed at encouraging states to include career counseling credentialing requirements (such as the NCDA GCDF) as part of grant programs.
HR 5 - Student Success Act
Introduced by House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Kline and Rep. Rokita (R-IN) on February 3, 2015 and referred the Education and Workforce Committee. Chairman Kline has stated that he does not intend to hold any hearings on the bill and will pass it through committee by the end of February. House Democrats have objected to the "lack of transparency" in the process. The bill has since cleared the committee and was considered on the House floor on 2/26 - 2/27. After floor amendments were voted on the bill was left as unfinished business. Although Kline expressed optimism he would get a vote during the first week of March, there has been no significant action on the bill.
The Student Success Act would reform the current federal education funding system for K-12 schools. The language of the Student Success Act closely mirrors the bill of the same name introduced and passed by the House last Congress. The majority of controversy surrounding the bill is related to federal testing standards and charter school choice. The latest version of the Student Success Act blocks the Department of Education (ED) from pushing states to adopt common standards, known as Common Core. In addition, the bill includes charter school legislation that passed separately during the 113th Congress. The measure allows charter management organizations to receive funds directly from ED rather than through the states. The House bill does differ from Chairman Alexander's discussion draft in the Senate but reflects the major policy themes.
H. Amdt 30 - Floor Amendment to the Student Success Act
On 2/26, Rep. Langevin offered H. Amdt 30 during floor consideration of the Student Success Act. The amendment was agreed to by a voice vote.
H. Amdt 30 reflects a scaled down version of the Counseling for Career Choice Act. The amendment requires states receiving ESEA funding to disclose how they will use funds to train school counselors. During floor remarks, Rep. Langevin explained that the amendment would allow states the flexibility to use Title I funds for apprenticeship and comprehensive career counseling programs.
S 191 - The Educating Tomorrow's Workforce Act
The Educating Tomorrow's Workforce Act was introduced on 1/20/15 by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and referred to the Senate HELP Committee. Sens. Baldwin (D-WI) and Portman (R-OH) have signed on as cosponsors.
The bill would amend Perkins to require grant recipients to define a CTE curriculum, accept credit transfer agreements, align curriculum with relevant workforce demands and invest in professional development for career development educators. NCDA has offered its formal support for the measure.
