The primary focus of this article is ''advocating for the results of a specific evaluation.'' To some extent, all evaluators are advocates, however the author notes, "there is no great mystery in how to use evaluations for advocacy, especially with respect to influencing policy making within federal and state…

On Dec. 10, 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (P.L. 114-95) became law. ESSA primarily reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), but includes other provisions as well. Among these, Section 5005 requires the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) to "review the organization, structure, and process…

As COVID-19 wreaks havoc on institutions and the students they serve, ushering in a recession that could have existential implications for all, helping learners earn the credentials they need from the providers best suited to serve them will be a critical issue in determining how well and robustly the nation recovers. The federal government has…

The "Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2021" contains the Budget Message of the President, information on the President's priorities, and summary tables. This year's Budget includes $4.4 trillion in savings--bringing deficits down each year, and putting the Federal Government on a path to a balanced budget in 15 years.…

As Congress considers the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), there is bipartisan interest in finding ways to address concerns about student debt and the quality of higher education. One possibility for bipartisan cooperation might be an attempt to provide more accountability in the higher education sector, including additional data…

Since the emergence of the field of learning disabilities (LD) in the late 1960s and early 1970s, controversy has surrounded issues regarding methods used for identification. The prevalence of students identified as LD increased steadily from the 1970s until the beginning of the 21st century, at which time it has decreased until at least 2011 (the…

The U.S. federal government's Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Senior Executive Service (SES) is losing institutional knowledge at a rapid pace due mostly to "baby boomer" retirements. To retain as much knowledge as possible, the OPM must identify means and methods that extend the current senior executive knowledge base and quickly…

As required by the "Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Modernization Act of 2010," each federal agency must report annually on its progress in meeting the goals and objectives established by its Strategic Plan. The United States Department of Education's (the Department's) "Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Annual Performance…

In April 2021, New America's Open Technology Institute (OTI) and the Philanthropication thru Privatization Project (PtP) released a joint proposal that the federal government should invest a substantial portion of the windfall proceeds from future auctions of public airwaves (spectrum) to seed a new Digital Equity Foundation dedicated to…

The Committee on Education and Labor met to hear testimony on "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the United States Department of Education." The U.S. Department of Education was making a budget request for Fiscal Year 2022 and the Committee wanted to examine the Department's priorities to support students, educators, and…

Education is primary a state and local responsibility in the United States. It is states and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for enrollment and graduation. The appropriate roles for state in the education of all children…

In FY 2016, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) promoted equity and excellence in education through conducting investigations and monitoring schools under resolution agreements, promoting greater understanding of how OCR interprets and enforces civil rights laws through the release of policy guidance, providing technical assistance and outreach to…

Schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) are required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide services for eligible students with disabilities, such as learning disabilities or health impairments. Services for these students are listed in individualized education programs (IEP). The Department of…

The "FY 2023 Annual Performance Plan" details the Department's planned strategies and activities to achieve the Strategic Goals and objectives in the "U.S. Department of Education Fiscal Years 2022-2026 Strategic Plan" (see ED625432) as well as the performance indicators that will be used to assess progress on the strategic…

A great education is the key to unlocking personal potential to succeed in careers and to lead a meaningful life. Accordingly, education is best addressed by those closest to students--parents and teachers. The proper Federal role in education should be to come alongside teachers, parents, and students in ensuring every student has opportunities…