{"id":19272,"date":"2024-09-27T12:41:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T18:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/?p=19272"},"modified":"2024-09-27T12:41:22","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T18:41:22","slug":"ed-review-09-27-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/2024\/09\/27\/ed-review-09-27-24\/","title":{"rendered":"ED Review (09\/27\/24)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

IMPROVING THE FAFSA EXPERIENCE<\/b><\/p>\n

On September 23, Secretary Cardona sent a letter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0white paper<\/a>\u00a0regarding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA\u00ae) to leadership at all institutions of higher education, updating them on the progress that has been made — with the help of partners in the field — in the past year and detailing the improvements underway for the 2025-26 cycle.\u00a0 The Department is committed to learning from challenges with the launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA form, increasing transparency, and upgrading the experience for students, families, and schools in the coming year.<\/p>\n

\u201c[W]e very much understand the deep frustrations many expressed in the initial months after the launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA form.\u00a0 I know how challenging that was for students, families, high school counselors, community-based organizations supporting students, institutions of higher education and their staffs, and states,\u201d the Secretary wrote.\u00a0 \u201c[W]e have put all hands on deck at the Department to make sure we release the 2025-26 FAFSA in a way that reflects industry-standard practices for technological transformation and responds to the feedback and recommendations of our partners.\u00a0 I am proud of the progress we have made over the last few months.\u201d<\/p>\n

The letter lists 10 actions the Department is taking to address common issues raised by students, families, schools, and partners, and the white paper provides details on those actions.\u00a0 For example, the Department added more than 700 new call center agents (since January 2024) to handle expected calls this December, when the 2025-26 FAFSA form will be available for all students and contributors.\u00a0 Additionally, the Department will keep some procedures from the last cycle in place to help with the identity validation process for mixed status families.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the coming months, we will continue to incorporate feedback as we make additional improvements to the FAFSA form and processes; produce and update resources for families, institutions, counselors, and financial aid professionals; and keep the field updated on our progress,\u201d the Secretary added.\u00a0 \u201c[W]e will open new doors of opportunity and bring the American Dream within reach for so many who once saw cost and complexity as an unmoving obstacle.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DEADLINE: FRESH START FOR BORROWERS<\/b><\/p>\n

The clock is ticking!\u00a0 Borrowers have until September 30 to move their federal student loans out of default under the Department\u2019s temporary\u00a0Fresh Start program<\/a>.\u00a0 This is the last chance to avoid collections and federal benefit withholding, as well as restore eligibility for federal student aid and make progress toward federal loan forgiveness.\u00a0 To sign up (in less than 10 minutes!), go to\u00a0myeddebt.ed.gov<\/a> or call the agency\u2019s Default Resolution Group at 1-800-621-3115.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS<\/b><\/p>\n

Also this week, Secretary Cardona announced the 2024\u00a0National Blue Ribbon Schools<\/a>\u00a0(video slideshow<\/a>).\u00a0 This recognition program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at the highest levels and\/or where progress is being made on closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.\u00a0 Chief State School Officers nominate public schools, while the Council for American Private Education nominates non-public schools.\u00a0 All 356 schools will be\u00a0recognized\u00a0at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., November 7 and 8.\u00a0 Since 1982, the program has bestowed more than 10,000 awards to some 9,700 schools, with some sites winning multiple awards —\u00a0as\u00a0schools are eligible to be re-nominated every five years (press release<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0infographic<\/a>).\u00a0(Note: Honoree profiles and program applications are posted\u00a0online<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Also, the Department invites governors or their designees to nominate up to two classified school employees for the annual\u00a0Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award<\/a> by November 1.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SUPPORTING MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS<\/b><\/p>\n

Last week, President Biden, Secretary Cardona, and the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) welcomed school leaders, faculty, students, and supporters to the 2024 National HBCU Week Conference<\/a>.\u00a0 This annual conference is the nation\u2019s premiere convening of influencers in the HBCU space.\u00a0 It is implemented under the leadership of the Initiative, in full consultation with the Executive Office of the President and the Department, and provides an occasion for over 2,500 representatives from HBCUs, federal agencies, private sector companies, and philanthropic organizations to share useful information and successful models to improve instruction, degree completion, and engagement — thereby strengthening the role of HBCUs.\u00a0 This year\u2019s theme was \u201cRaising the Bar: Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet.\u201d\u00a0 Among the notable conference speakers were White House officials, Cabinet members, and members of Congress (President\u2019s remarks<\/a>,\u00a0Secretary\u2019s remarks<\/a>,\u00a0White House fact sheet<\/a>\u00a0on HBCU investments, and\u00a0Department\u2019s grant announcement<\/a>\u00a0on diversifying the educator and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics [STEM] workforce).<\/p>\n

In advance of the conference, the President issued a\u00a0proclamation<\/a>\u00a0on National HBCUs Week.<\/p>\n

Separately, the President issued a\u00a0proclamation<\/a>\u00a0on National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), the Secretary released a\u00a0video<\/a>\u00a0celebrating the month (see also the Secretary\u2019s remarks from the\u00a0Waterbury Puerto Rican Parade<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0White House reception for Latino leaders<\/a>), and the Department announced nearly\u00a0$50 million for Hispanic-Serving Institutions<\/a>\u00a0(HSIs).\u00a0 (Note: For further insight, read the Homeroom blog on academic advising at HSIs in\u00a0English<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Spanish<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Additionally, the President issued a\u00a0proclamation<\/a>\u00a0on National Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) Week.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MODERNIZED ED.GOV<\/b><\/p>\n

The Department recently launched a modernized ED.gov<\/a>\u00a0web site to better meet the needs of the public.\u00a0 This transformation is part of ongoing efforts to make accessing important information easier, faster, and more intuitive for all users.\u00a0 With a more robust search engine, improved topic-based navigation, and a sleek, contemporary design,\u00a0ED.gov<\/a>\u00a0is equipped to help customers and partners find the information they need — when they need it.<\/p>\n

Plus, whether users are on a computer or a phone, the new mobile-friendly design ensures that\u00a0ED.gov\u00a0is accessible anytime, anywhere.\u00a0 And, built for scalability,\u00a0ED.gov\u00a0is designed to adapt to future technology.<\/p>\n

Stay tuned!\u00a0 This is just the beginning of a phased project that will see more content and features migrate to\u00a0ED.gov over the coming months and years.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
ODDS AND ENDS<\/b><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n

President Biden\u00a0signed into law<\/a>\u00a0a Continuing Resolution (CR), extending funding for education programs and other parts of the federal budget at Fiscal Year 2024 levels through December 20, 2024.<\/p>\n

President Biden and Vice President Harris\u00a0announced<\/a>\u00a0an\u00a0Executive Order<\/a>\u00a0directing federal agencies to improve school-based active shooter drills and combat emerging firearm threats, while a\u00a0fact sheet<\/a>\u00a0outlines progress on reducing gun violence on the one-year anniversary of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.<\/p>\n

On September 21, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary Cardona hosted the first-ever\u00a0Back to School Night<\/a>\u00a0on the White House South Lawn (photos<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The Secretary delivered\u00a0remarks on book bans<\/a>\u00a0at a Washington, D.C., \u201cShelved Voices\u201d symposium (see also\u00a0video with Congressman Maxwell Frost<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Federal student loan borrowers can now see their payment counts, updated through this summer, including how many payments they have left until they are eligible for\u00a0Public Service Loan Forgiveness<\/a>\u00a0(PSLF).<\/p>\n

The Department announced\u00a0updated deadlines<\/a>\u00a0for institutions to report required information under the Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment rules.<\/p>\n

The Department also announced the\u00a0appointment<\/a>\u00a0of Thomas Flagg as its Chief Information Officer.<\/p>\n

And, the Department published its inaugural\u00a0Open Data Plan<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0The plan not only addresses key components of the\u00a0OPEN Government Data Act<\/i>\u00a0but also meets the requirements of Goal 4 of the agency\u2019s\u00a0Data Strategy<\/a>\u00a0and targets gaps in the agency\u2019s current open data practices, including providing a centralized, searchable index of the thousands of data files; sufficiently describing data files with metadata to include them in the\u00a0Federal Data Catalog<\/a>; and establishing a uniform point of contact for handling issues with data made available for public use.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss these video recaps of Secretary Cardona\u2019s\u00a0Back to School Bus Tour<\/a>\u00a0and Deputy Secretary Cindy Marten\u2019s\u00a0supplemental travels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch these video stories of\u00a0impactful federal pandemic relief investments<\/a>\u00a0in Nevada, Georgia, and Minnesota schools.<\/p>\n

The Department and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are teaming up to engage students in STEM education during after-school hours.\u00a0 This\u00a0interagency program<\/a>\u00a0aims to reach 1,000 students in over 60 21st Century Community Learning Center sites across 10 states.<\/p>\n

The Department\u2019s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the\u00a0Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act<\/i>state plan requirements<\/a>\u00a0and related\u00a0annual data collections<\/a>.<\/p>\n

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports\u00a0examine\u00a0the\u00a0persistence and attainment of 2019-20 first-time postsecondary students<\/a>\u00a0after three years and\u00a0parent\/family involvement in students\u2019 education<\/a>\u00a0during the 2022-23 school year.<\/p>\n

On successive dates, the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) announced new National Research and Development Centers focused on\u00a0improving rural postsecondary education<\/a>,\u00a0supporting teacher recruitment and retention<\/a>, and\u00a0advancing elementary science<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), which oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), is soliciting nominations through November 1 for a number of\u00a0open board positions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

QUOTE TO NOTE<\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cHBCUs go the extra mile for their students, and that\u2019s why the Biden-Harris Administration has gone the extra mile for our HBCUs.\u00a0 HBCUs have produced 40% of all Black engineers, 50% of Black teachers, 70% of Black doctors, and 80% of Black judges.\u00a0 Not to mention 100% of our nation\u2019s Black women vice presidents!\u00a0 And this Administration has invested more in HBCUs and their students than any other in history — over $16 billion, with a \u2018b\u2019!\u00a0 The impact of these funds is far-reaching, from the emergency aid that helped 450,000 HBCU students stay enrolled during the pandemic to a new federal grant for research and development infrastructures and facilities at HBCUs and [Minority-Serving Institutions], because we need you to get the big contracts!\u00a0 There\u2019s also record funding for teacher preparation programs\u2026.\u00a0 And, [President Biden] has elevated HBCUs with a slew of new partnerships across the federal government, from the Department of Commerce to the Pentagon to NASA and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n

— Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona (9\/16\/24), from\u00a0remarks<\/a>\u00a0at the 2024 HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

UPCOMING EVENTS<\/b><\/p>\n

All are welcome on October 3, from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time, for the first session in the webinar series \u201cBlending and Braiding: How to Make it Easier to Use Different Funding Streams to Meet the Needs of the Whole Child<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

All are also welcome on October 9, from 2 to 3 p.m. ET, for a webinar about the Department of Energy\u2019s\u00a0Efficient and Healthy Schools 2024-25 recognition program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Department\u2019s Federal Student Aid (FSA) office will host a free Federal Financial Aid Virtual Bootcamp<\/a> on October 23 — geared toward students, parents, school counselors, college access professionals, college and career coaches, and other members of the financial aid community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  IMPROVING THE FAFSA EXPERIENCE On September 23, Secretary Cardona sent a letter\u00a0and\u00a0white paper\u00a0regarding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA\u00ae) to leadership at all institutions of higher education, updating them on the progress that has been made — with the help of partners in the field — in the past year and detailing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,266],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-of-interest"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/93"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19272"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19272\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19275,"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19272\/revisions\/19275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sehd.ucdenver.edu\/impact\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}