Omnibus Funds Government Through September 2016, But Few Policy Riders Included
On Friday, December 18, Congress completed its work of funding the federal government through September 30, 2016, through passage of an omnibus spending bill connected to a tax-extenders deal.
AACTE is pleased that the Teacher Quality Partnerships not only survived an attack during the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, but also received a nearly $3 million funding increase though the omnibus bill for Fiscal Year 2016.
However, AACTE is disappointed that in all the negotiations on the omnibus and tax-extender package, the policy rider prohibiting the promulgation and enforcement of the teacher preparation program regulations was not included in the final bill. In fact, none of the policy riders dealing with higher education regulation was included in the omnibus. We are hopeful for congressional action to address the teacher preparation regulations in 2016. Meanwhile, according to the U.S. Department of Education, we can expect the final rule (final version of the regulation) by the end of this year.
For a more a more in-depth look at what’s up in Washington, please view the video or slides from last week’s December 2015 Federal Update webinar. Stay tuned for more webinars in January updating you on the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act, next steps on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, and other activity in Washington.
Tags: federal issues
