DC Shuttle …
DeVos Tours Florida Schools. U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos visited Florida schools, including Florida International University. She addressed the concerns of many educators by saying she understands the concerns of undocumented students and the Trump administration is “not seeking to go and find them in schools.” DeVos also told reporters there’s a “possibility” that Florida’s tax credit scholarship program could be used as a national model, but that the Trump administration is still working out its strategy when it comes to encouraging school choice measures like vouchers and charter schools.
Queen, First Lady and Secretary Visit Public Charter School. DeVos, first lady Melania Trump and Jordan’s Queen Rania visited a Washington D.C. public charter school, the first and only public charter school in the city for girls in pre-K through eighth grade, the Washington Post reports.
Bill Introduced to Expand Preschool Grants. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) introduced a bill that would expand access to federal funding for pre-K programs to the whole country. The legislation would allow cities and counties to apply for funding under the Preschool Development Grants program, even if the states they are in choose not to do so.
Student Loan Forgiveness Program in Question. There is great concern and uncertainty regarding the student loan forgiveness program for public employees. The U.S. Department of Education argued in court that the letters approving students for the program were not binding, the New York Times reports, leaving people who believed they are covered under the program questioning whether they can be sure they will receive the benefits. US News and World Report reports that most of the students that believe they are eligible will be able to take advantage of the forgiveness program. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is meant to encourage public-sector employment. Loan recipients agree to work for the government or a nonprofit for 10 years and pay off a portion of the loan in exchange for having the balance of their student loans forgiven after that time. The recent ruling came in a filing in a law suit with employees of the American Bar Association and the Education Department, Inside Higher Ed reports.
White House to Nominate General Counsel for Ed Department. The White House announced its intent to nominate Carlos Muñiz as general counsel at the Department of Education. The New York Times reported on concerns regarding the nomination.
President Proclaims Education and Sharing Day. The White House announced that President Trump had proclaimed the Friday, April 7, 2017, as Education and Sharing Day.
Moody’s Reports on College Revenue. Many private colleges have struggled to increase their revenue in recent years, according to a recent report by Moody’s Investors Service.
We publish the DC Shuttle each week featuring higher ed news from Washington collected by the New England Council, of which NEBHE is a member. This edition is drawn from the Higher Education Update in the Council’s Weekly Washington Report of April 10, 2017. For more information, please visit: www.newenglandcouncil.com.
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