[ISLMA-Share] Congressional Update: House Resolution 610

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

Colleagues-- U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa has filed HR610 a bill that would
eliminate the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and replace it with
The School Choice Act. The bill has been sent to the House Committee on
Education & Workforce. So far, there are three co-sponsors, none from
Illinois.

This bill would elimate ESSA and the opportunities that came with that to
strengthen the role of school libraries and school librarians along with
all the Title programs that funnel federal funds to public education.

Here is the summary about the bill from the congress.gov website--

Shown Here:
Introduced in House (01/23/2017)

*Choices in Education Act of 2017*

This bill repeals the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and
limits the authority of the Department of Education (ED) such that ED is
authorized only to award block grants to qualified states.

The bill establishes an education voucher program, through which each state
shall distribute block grant funds among local educational agencies (LEAs)
based on the number of eligible children within each LEA's geographical
area. From these amounts, each LEA shall: (1) distribute a portion of funds
to parents who elect to enroll their child in a private school or to
home-school their child, and (2) do so in a manner that ensures that such
payments will be used for appropriate educational expenses.

To be eligible to receive a block grant, a state must: (1) comply with
education voucher program requirements, and (2) make it lawful for parents
of an eligible child to elect to enroll their child in any public or
private elementary or secondary school in the state or to home-school their
child.

*No Hungry Kids Act*

The bill repeals a specified rule that established certain nutrition
standards for the national school lunch and breakfast programs. (In
general, the rule requires schools to increase the availability of fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat or fat free milk in school meals;
reduce the levels of sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat in school meals;
and meet children's nutritional needs within their caloric requirements.)

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There will no doubt be other bills presented to diminish the role of the
Department of Education. We will need to keep apprised of these bills and
be ready to contact our U.S. Representatives.

Do you know who your U.S. and state representatives and senators are? You
may go to the ILA webpage for this--

https://www.ila.org/advocacy/state-federal-elected-officials
<https://www.ila.org/advocacy/state-federal-elected-officials>

Lou Ann Jacobs, ISLMA Legislation Chair






Lou Ann Jacobs. ISLMA Legislation Chair
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