Search Results for keywords:"Education Department"

The Department of Education is inviting applications for new awards under the Educational Technology, Media, and Materials for Individuals with Disabilities program for fiscal year 2021. The program aims to set up a Captioned and Described Educational Media Center to provide accessible educational materials, such as captioned and described video content, for students with disabilities. The center seeks to improve educational results for these students by developing and offering technology and media resources that are accessible and useful in classroom settings. The application submission deadline is April 27, 2021.

The Department of Education is announcing the availability of new grant funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the COVID-19 relief act, CRRSAA, signed into law on December 27, 2020. Proprietary institutions of higher education can apply for these grants to provide financial aid to students facing economic challenges due to the pandemic. Around $680 million is available, and the funds must be used to assist students with exceptional needs, covering expenses like tuition, housing, or child care. Applications, which must be submitted via Grants.gov, are being accepted on a rolling basis until April 15, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Education has decided to end the process for making new rules about state authorization, cash management, and accreditation for educational institutions. This decision was made to allow more time to understand recent changes and evaluate their impact. The Department aims to gather more data and consider industry practices before establishing any new regulations. They emphasized the importance of deliberative policymaking and responding to public feedback received during the process.

The Institute of Education Sciences under the Department of Education has announced a new information collection request, aiming to study factors that influence the completion of traditional undergraduate teacher preparation programs. This research will involve collecting survey and interview data from those who completed and did not complete such programs, along with program administrative data. The study addresses critical questions about the demographics, academics, and other factors affecting teacher preparation program completion, aiming to improve teacher retention and diversity. Public comments are invited until January 15, 2025, and participation will help shape solutions for enhancing teacher preparation programs.

The Department of Education has issued final regulations to adjust civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for inflation, as required by law. This adjustment is based on the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and affects penalties related to higher education, violations by lenders, and improper lobbying, among others. The new penalty amounts are calculated using a specific multiplier from the Office of Management and Budget, ensuring they retain their deterrent effect. These updates apply to violations occurring after November 2, 2015, and penalties assessed after February 3, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Education has released a notice listing the members of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). This committee, established under the Higher Education Act, consists of 18 members chosen for their experience and knowledge in higher education. Members are appointed by different officials including the Secretary of Education, the Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, serving six-year terms. The committee holds meetings at least twice a year to offer advice on accreditation standards and related educational issues.

The Department of Education is asking the public for comments on a new information collection related to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). This is needed because over 700 institutions have incorrectly used more than $202 million meant for student aid and institutional costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department wants to ensure these funds are returned quickly and properly to prevent any further financial issues. Public comments help assess the necessity and efficiency of this information collection while aiming to reduce the burden on respondents.

The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, part of the Department of Education, has released final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria for the Promise Neighborhoods (PN) Program. These guidelines are meant to improve academic outcomes in distressed communities by ensuring children have access to quality services and educational success. The Assistant Secretary has clarified various aspects, such as requirements for evidence-based activities and the application process for grants, which are applicable for the fiscal year 2021 and beyond. The document emphasizes collaboration with community organizations to address issues like opioid abuse prevention and crime reduction through community-level efforts.

The Department of Education has announced an update to grant award notices to ensure they follow the 2024 changes to federal award guidelines. These changes apply only to grants given after October 1, 2024, and clarify that earlier grants are governed by the rules in place when they were awarded. This update resolves confusion caused by an earlier notice that tried to apply new rules retroactively. Grant recipients don’t need to take any action but should keep this notice for their records.

The Department of Education has announced that a specific test approved for the National Reporting System for Adult Education, which would have expired on February 5, 2025, can continue to be used until June 30, 2025. This applies to the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) Reading GOALS Series for literacy and English language arts. The notice specifies that only the approved forms and computer-based formats can be used. If the Secretary finds inaccurate information about a test or if a test is significantly changed, the approval can be revoked following specific procedures.