A quick look at the news from last week, compiled by Penn Hill Group: 

SENATE

The Senate confirmed Michael Yudin as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Prior to his confirmation, Yudin had been in an acting role in the position for which he was confirmed, as well as playing a role in the Department’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reauthorization efforts.

BUDGET

The House passed the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act by a vote of 242­–183. This bill would fund the National Science Foundation at $7.4 billion for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, an increase of $50 million over FY2015 and approximately $330 million below the President’s request.

ADMINISTRATION

ED released a report to Congress on highly qualified teachers enrolled in alternative certification programs. The report found that while just 1.5 percent of all teachers are both categorized as highly qualified and enrolled in an alternative certification program, these teachers were more likely to be teaching in low-income and urban areas during the 2013–14 school year.

ED and the U.S. Department of the Interior announced that the Miccosukee Indian School will receive flexibility from ESEA to use a different definition of Adequate Yearly Progress. The school is operated by the Bureau of Indian Education and this waiver is the first of its kind to such a school.