July 2022
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Department of Education releases proposed regulations to expand and improve targeted loan relief programs
On July 6, the U.S. Department of Education (Department) released proposed regulations that would expand and improve the major student loan discharge programs authorized by the Higher Education Act. The proposals build upon the work the Biden-Harris administration has already done to improve the student loan program, make college more affordable, and deliver tens of billions of dollars in relief to over one million student loan borrowers across the country. “We are committed to fixing a broken system. If a borrower qualifies for student loan relief, it shouldn’t take mountains of paperwork or a law degree to obtain it,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Borrowers seeking to count their payments on Federal Family Education Loans toward forgiveness should apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) before Oct. 31.
The Department also has announced steps to remedy long-standing problems in the income-driven repayment plans that will help tens of thousands of borrowers receive forgiveness through that program and through PSLF. View an unofficial copy of these proposed regulations here and a fact sheet with additional information here.
Supporting students’ academic recovery
On July 5, the administration announced a series of actions to support students’ academic recovery and ensure recovery efforts are meeting student, parent, and family needs. These actions help meet President Biden’s call for more schools to invest in key strategies to accelerate academic recovery using American Rescue Plan funding and galvanize more Americans to serve their communities by becoming tutors and mentors.
Included in the actions is the launch of the National Partnership for Student Success, a new coalition that will support the expansion, creation, and improvement of high-impact tutoring, mentoring, and other programs to make up for lost instructional time and support student mental health and overall well-being. Also included is the Administration’s effort to empower parents and school communities with information about how their schools are using and can use federal funds to provide necessary academic and mental health supports. Last month, the Department established a National Parents and Families Engagement Council to facilitate strong and effective relationships between schools and parents, families, and caregivers.
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Effectively using data for continuous improvement in community schools
Please join the Department, the Coalition for Community Schools, and the Children’s Aid National Center for Community Schools for a discussion with practitioners and researchers at the next webinar of the Full Service Community Schools webinar series, Effectively Using Data for Continuous Improvement in Community Schools, on July 21 from 3-4 p.m. ET. Participants will learn about the central role that data and continuous improvement play in community schools and the diverse voices that community schools engage to inform improvement. Also, participants will learn how a community school in New York City used data and continuous improvement to significantly decrease their chronic absenteeism rate and how a federal Full-Service Community Schools grantee collected and used data for continuous improvement. Please register here to join the discussion.
Academic success for students in foster care begins with strong partnerships between child welfare and education systems
As students begin their summer break, the Department and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have come together to highlight the significant work that American educators and child welfare professionals have done to support students in foster care, provide information about resources available for schools to support students in foster care, and provide information about federal collaboration. A new Homeroom blog details the work of educators and child welfare professionals to support students in the foster care system. To learn more about the agencies’ shared commitment to ensure that students in foster care are able to meet their full academic potential, please visit the Department’s and HHS’s webpages.
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Children ages 6 months and older are eligible for vaccination
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that all children 6 months through 5 years of age should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This expands eligibility for vaccination to nearly 20 million additional children and means all Americans ages 6 months and older are eligible for vaccination. Parents and caregivers may get their children vaccinated with either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. All eligible children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated (President Biden’s statement and Secretary Cardona’s statement). Distribution of vaccinations for younger children has started across the country and will be available at thousands of pediatric practices, pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, local health departments, clinics, and other locations (White House fact sheet).
50th anniversary of Title IX: Proposed changes to regulations
On June 23, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX – the landmark civil rights law that has opened doors for generations of women and girls – the Department released for public comment proposed changes to the regulations that help elementary and secondary schools and colleges and universities implement this vital legislation. The proposed regulations will restore crucial protections for students who are victims of sexual harassment, assault, and sex-based discrimination, a critical safety net for survivors that was weakened under previous regulations, and will advance educational equity and opportunity for women and girls across the country. Additional information on the proposed rule, including a summary with background information and a fact sheet is available.
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Campaign directs families to vital summer programs and resources
Summer has arrived! To find resources and sign up for programs, the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) teamed up with program providers and partners at InPlay, IHeartRadio, and Clear Channel Outdoor to create and promote DiscoverSummer.org. The website lists nearly 30,000 local programs in 4,000 communities in all 50 U.S. states. Read the press release.
The national campaign to promote Discover Summer kicked off in Times Square and includes ads on nearly 2,000 outdoor digital billboards and public service announcements on 800 U.S. radio stations. As Secretary Cardona noted, “Quality summer learning and enrichment programs are key to recovering from the pandemic. These programs are crucial for parents and caregivers. I’m grateful to NSLA and their partners for providing DiscoverSummer.org as a great resource for families to navigate their options.”
Every Kid Outdoors
Parents and families, are you looking for a fun and free way to keep your fourth grade student active and engaged this summer? Print out the National Park Service’s #EveryKidOutdoors pass for free access to federal parks, lands, and waters! Find your park, which will take you to amazing places! With the pass, fourth graders can take family and friends on free adventures for a full year.
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Growth Opportunities grants
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced awards for Round 1 of the Growth Opportunities (GO) initiative and has now announced the Round 2 competition. GO aims to help youth avoid violence and build conflict resolution skills, introduces and prepares youth for the world of work, helps youth identify career interests and attain skills and good work habits, and provides income to youth to start them on the path of earning living wages. Applications for the Round 2 competition must be received by October 5.
#Dadication campaign
The HHS-funded National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (NRFC) provides a variety of tools and resources to encourage and strengthen fathers and families. NRFC highlights the fact that involved fathers make essential contributions to their children’s well-being, even when parenting during tough times and circumstances. Its #Dadication campaign includes a series of videos to encourage fathers to spend time with their children. Resources include discussion questions like “What’s something you’ve taught your kids that you’re proud of?” to encourage sharing after watching the documentary. Some resources are available in Spanish.
Summer Food Service Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works closely with states to ensure that children who receive free or reduced-price school meals can get the nutrition they need when schools are closed – whether during summer break or unexpected closures during the school year. Through their Summer Food Service Program, USDA Nutrition works with states to provide meals to students when schools are closed during summer break. Use the USDA Summer Meal Site Finder to find a summer meal program in your area. Families seeking food assistance for their children can also contact the USDA National Hunger Hotline, operated by Hunger Free America. Also, The Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022 (S. 2089) would extend certain flexibilities for child nutrition programs and provide temporary increases in reimbursement rates for meals provided at schools and child care centers (fact sheet), if enacted.
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Hearing the voices of parents, families, and caregivers
As a mother of five, Sara Morrison has experienced parent and family advocacy on different levels. In an interview with the Department’s national liaison to parents and families, Dawn Ellis, Sara discusses how advocating and engaging in her children’s education has been “challenging and at times, heartbreaking” but “it was the most rewarding as I knew the impact of my advocacy was not just for my children, but all families who may have experienced the same struggles.” Read more about Sara’s experience, including her excitement for the National Parents and Family Engagement Council (the Council), on the Homeroom blog. Sara will represent United Parents Leaders Action Network (UPLAN) on the Council.
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