US Dept. of Education proposes new priorities and definitions for competitive grant applications

This week the U.S. Department of Education isssused notice of new proposed proposed six new priorities and related defintions for use in discretionary grant programs. The public is invited to comment on the proposed rule through July 31.

The following are the Secretary’s proposed priority topics:

1. Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Students, Educators, and Faculty.
2. Promoting Equity in Student Access to Educational Resources, Opportunities, and Welcoming Environments.
3. Supporting a Diverse Educator Workforce and Professional Growth to Strengthen Student Learning.
4. Meeting Student Social, Emotional, and Academic Needs.
5. Increasing Postsecondary Education Access, Affordability, Completion, and Post-Enrollment Success.
6. Strengthening Cross-Agency Coordination and Community Engagement to Advance Systemic Change.

Proposed Terms to be Defined:

1. Children or students with disabilities
2. Community college
3. Competency-based education
4. Culturally and linguistically inclusive
5. Disconnected youth
6. Early learning
7. English learner
8. Evidence-based
9. High-quality assessments
10. Historically Black colleges and universities
11. Military- or veteran-connected student
12. Minority-serving institution
13. Tribal College or University
14. Underserved student
15. Universal design for learning

Additional background, proposed definitions and instructions for public comment are available here.

For further information contact:

Nkemjika Ofodile-Carruthers

U.S. Department of Education

(202) 401-4389

nkemjika.ofodile-carruthers@ed.gov.