Here is CEF’s latest update — including a Joel Packer-esque bar chart that does a good job showing how draconian Trumps’s proposed cuts to the Department of Education are. Note that the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee has postponed all of this week’s hearings, including the hearing with Education Secretary DeVos that had been scheduled for March 22. No big surprise there. Trump made some comments about vocational education and job training last week while in Germany. I personally don’t take a lot of stock in his ramblings — particularly his off-the-cuff comments — but if you’re interested, see the last item under "Policy Intelligence and Education News." Jeff > Begin forwarded message: > > From: Sheryl Cohen <cohen@cef.org> > Subject: CEF Update: 03.20.17 - Social media, new CEF chart, examples of cuts, Sec. DeVos budget hearing postponed > Date: March 20, 2017 at 5:00:17 PM EDT > To: CEFMembersList <CEFMembersList@cef.org> > > > Monday, March 20, 2017 > > Follow us on Twitter and Instagram (both “@edfunding”) to share our advocacy to a broader social media audience! > > Dear CEF Members: > > I. Advocacy > > · CEF charts and tables on President’s budget – We will continue to post charts and tables on the President’s education budget on our website <https://cef.org/charts-and-resources/charts/>, Twitter and Instagram (both “@edfunding” – please follow us if you have not already). There’s a new chart up this morning (also attached) showing the President’s steep cut to education funding, which was already below the 2010 level excluding Pell grant funding. Feel free to use and share any of our material, of course! > > · Upcoming Hill visits – CEF Hill Teams has a meeting scheduled this week with the office of Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), who joined the House Appropriations Committee this year, and Sen Marco Rubio (R-FL), who is on the Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee. Next week we’re meeting with the office of Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), on the House Labor-HHS Subcommittee, and we have pending requests with a number of other Appropriations Committee members that we haven’t visited this Congress. Hill Teams members, please sign up to attend meetings on the google doc that Sarah has circulated. > > · Examples of the President’s budget effects on learning– Because we won’t produce our full Budget Book until after Congress enacts the FY 2017 funding bill and after the Administration submits its full, programmatic budget, we want to have something in the meantime that highlights the effects of the President’s proposed education cuts. If you have examples of what the cuts will mean on the ground – to schools, teachers, universities, libraries, researchers, etc. – please email Sarah Abernathy <mailto:abernathy@cef.org> a brief blurb we can use. > > II. Policy Intelligence and Education News > > · Labor-HHS-ED hearings – The House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee has postponed this week’s hearings, including the budget hearing with Education Secretary DeVos that had been scheduled for March 22. The only CEF-related hearing now on the schedule is the “Budget Hearing - Corporation for Public Broadcasting” on Tuesday, March 28 at 10 am in 2358-C Rayburn House Office Building. It will also be available on webcast. > > · On Wednesday, March 15, the Senate Labor-HHS-Ed Subcommittee held a hearing titled “STEM Education: Preparing Students for the Careers of Today and the Future.” In his opening statement, Chairman Roy Blunt (R-MO) stated that “Providing students with high-quality education in STEM is critical for the economic competitiveness and security of our nation.” Chairman Blunt also stressed the need to “[reinstate] year-round Pell grants…to better prepare and train teachers…to promote more diversity in STEM…[and] to ensure opportunities are available to students in rural, urban, and suburban areas alike.” Witnesses included education administrators who explained numerous STEM education programs under ESSA. The witnesses urged members of the full committee to prioritize the full funding of ESSA, specifically highlighting Title I, Title II, and Title IV grants. The importance of STEM education funding was emphasized by the presentation of information that the number of STEM jobs is increasing while the number of prepared future employees is decreasing, and that there is currently a poor STEM foundation and learning disconnect in education systems across the country. Find more here <https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/hearings/stem-education-preparing-students-for-the-careers-of-today-and-the-future>. > > · On Thursday, March 16, the House Labor-HHS-Ed Subcommittee held a hearing titled “Investing in the Future – Early Childhood Education Programs at the Department of Health and Human Services.” In his opening remarks, Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “Early childhood education programs not only help children socially and cognitively, research has also linked high quality early childhood programs to savings to K-12 education.” Witnesses advocated for increased funding for Early Head Start and Head Start programs. On several occasions, witnesses referenced statistical studies showing that Early Head Start only serves 5% of eligible children and Head Start serves less than 45% of eligible children. Find more here <http://appropriations.house.gov/calendararchive/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=394781>. > > · President Trump highlights need for vocational education and job training – On Friday, President Trump and German Chancellor Merkel held a roundtable discussion on vocational training <https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/17/remarks-president-trump-roundtable-discussion-vocational-training-us-and> with US and German business leaders. He spoke of the importance of career training and apprenticeships as an alternative to earning a college degree: > > “We must embrace new and effective job-training approaches, including online courses, high school curriculums, and private-sector investment that prepare people for trade, manufacturing, technology, and other really well-paying jobs and careers. These kinds of options can be a positive alternative to a four-year degree. So many people go to college, four years, they don’t like it, they’re not necessarily good at it, but they’re good at other things, like fixing engines and building things.” > > III. Events > > · AERA Centennial Lecture The Limits of Schooling, The Power of Poverty <http://www.aera100.net/charles-payne.html> – the lecture will take place in Detroit on Thursday, March 23, at 6:30 pm ET, and will be available via live stream. > > · CEF schedule for the next month – (Note: this information is also on the CEF calendar in the Members’ Area of our new website. You can register for an ID to log in if you have already submitted your 2017 membership renewal forms.) > o Friday, March 24, 9-11 am: Quarterly meeting (AFT, 555 NJ Ave, NW, 4th floor) > o Friday, March 31, 9-11 am: CEF meeting (AASCU, 1307 NY Ave, NW). Guest speakers: Democratic staff of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. > o Friday, April 7, 9-11 am: CEF meeting (AFSCME, 1625 L St NW, 1st Floor Board Room). Guest speaker: Robin Juliano, Democratic education staffer for the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee. > o Friday, April 28, 9-11 am: CEF meeting (AASCU, 1307 NY Ave, NW). Guest speaker: TBD. > > My best, > > Sheryl > > > Sheryl V. Cohen, Executive Director > 1800 M Street, NW > Suite 500 South > Washington, DC 20036 > T: 202-327-8125 > cohen@cef.org <mailto:cohen@cef.org> > www.cef.org <http://www.cef.org/> >