New Clarity on How Funds can be Spent on Federal Programs
November 1, 2016
Education Week covered the Dept. of Education’s release of guidance on Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants – which provides clarity around how funds can be spent on federal programs aimed at health, safety, the arts, and technology. The department’s overall message underscored that a “well-rounded education” does not include just art and music programs, but can also feature “foreign language courses and college and career counseling.” Ed Week notes that while ESSA “recommended $1.5 billion for the combined block-grant program,” the Obama Administration has asked for $500 million, a U.S. Senate panel “wants $300 million for it,” and a U.S. House panel wants $1 billion, but is “also looking to eliminate a number of programs that remain on the books.” Because the federal budget is still in contention, the article notes that “it’s anyone’s guess at this point what spending on the block grant ultimately will be.”