State Education Chiefs & Grant Managers - Federal Education Spending

I love budget season. Covering the proposed federal budget and spending in Congress is one of my favorite things to report on, despite having a bunch of numbers floating around in my head all of the time. I enjoy being able to connect the dots on how federal spending decisions affect the nation's schools and colleges, especially as everyone is touched by the education system in some way. It's been a busy time for federal education spending. I've recently written about: ➡️ How Senate Democrats aren't reflexively dismissing the Trump administration's proposal to move the Education Department's Office of Career Technical and Adult Education, which manages $2.2 billion in workforce development funds, over to the Labor Department. Lawmakers have concerns about Labor's ability to run the programs that support career-oriented education and the Trump administration's motive, but aren't opposed to changes or reforms. “We would need to see them coming up with a plan about how it's going to be done, then we could kick the tires in public, ask questions and gain some confidence,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said. “If you want to do a reform, that's the way you do a reform. And reforms of that kind have been done and can be successful.” https://lnkd.in/e-uC5wjp ➡️ Education Secretary Linda McMahon's appearance before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee (and key takeaways). She faced a slew of questions and criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle about her agency's deals with the Labor Department to run career and technical education programs, postsecondary education initiatives and K-12 programs. https://lnkd.in/eTauS4sw https://lnkd.in/ea_sTxzJ ➡️ I also scooped that the Education Department is using its own grant management system for billions in K-12 formula grant funds that are expected to be distributed to states this July. The decision comes after the Education Department struck a deal with Labor to administer K-12 programs. The department said it heard concerns from state education chiefs about the timeline to administer grants. (Last year, some states experienced technical issues using Labor's grant management system for career, technical and adult education funds) https://lnkd.in/eB9DB7cZ I want to hear from you! I want to talk about all things education spending. Send me a message or email ([email redacted]) with tips/thoughts/concerns about federal spending.