This We Know: NMSA Washington Update

Susan Frost, Sheridan Group/Education Priorities
(Updated November 23, 2009)

Key Legislation Introduced

LEARN Act
Comprehensive Literacy Bills to support literacy instruction from birth through grade 12

Sponsors: Senators Murray (WA), Brown (OH) and Franken (MN)
Chairman Miller (CA), Representatives Yarmuth (KY) and Polis (CO)

The Literacy Education for All, Results for the Nation (LEARN) Act, S. 2740 and H.R.4037, aims to ensure that all students receive high quality literacy instruction by authorizing $2.35 billion for comprehensive literacy programs to strengthen the literacy skills of all students from birth through grade 12. The LEARN Act achieves these objectives by 1) Creating state literacy leadership teams that work to improve literacy instruction, 2) Providing high-quality professional development opportunities and support for instructional staff 3) Authorizing the funding of innovative programs that include elements such as use of technology, new curriculum development, and other new literacy teaching strategies to help students reading and writing below grade level. www.thomas.gov

Graduation for All Act
House Bill to help turn around lowest performing middle and high schools

Sponsors: Chairman Miller (CA), Representatives Grijalva (AZ), Hinojosa (TX)

The Graduation for All Act, H.R. 4122, creates a new $2 billion competitive grant program to improve nation’s lowest performing high schools and middle schools; provides school districts with clear guidelines on turn around strategies and encourages flexibility in implementing the appropriate model at the school level; supports partnerships among school districts and their lowest performing high schools, their feeder middle schools and the local community to help systemically align best practices in turnaround strategies. The bill builds on the Success in the Middle Act and the Graduation Promise Act that were introduced earlier this year. The Senate is expected to introduce a similar proposal in the coming weeks and a bill is expected to be authorized and funded with student loan savings when the final budget reconciliation package is enacted early next year.
http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/11/the-graduation-for-all-act-of.shtml
http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2009/11/house-democrats-introduce-legi-1.shtml

ASPIRE ACT
Senate Bill to fund middle and high school afterschool programs

On November 17, 2009, Senators Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Franken (D-Minn.) introduced the Afterschool Partnerships Improve Results in Education (ASPIRE) Act, S. 2785. The act would provide dedicated grant funding for quality afterschool programs that serve older youth at the middle and high school levels. The act authorizes a national demonstration project to create multi-state, multi-site afterschool programs for older youth. These programs would serve to expand the knowledge base for other afterschool interdisciplinary education programs and to disseminate best practices. A companion bill in the House is expected to be introduced shortly. www.thomas.gov

Global Learning
House bill to strengthen foreign language instruction K-12

On November 7th, Rush Holt (D-NJ-12) introduced the Foreign Language Education Partnership Program Act (H.R.4065) in the House where it was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor. The bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide incentives for developing and maintaining model programs of articulated foreign language learning from kindergarten through grade 12 that increase the number of students graduating from high school with an advance level of proficiency in at least one foreign language. www.thomas.gov