A quick look back at the news from last week. Compiled by Penn Hill Group.

ADMINISTRATION

The Biden Administration released an outline of its American Families Plan, the second part of the President’s Build Back Better infrastructure plan.

President Biden addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) launched its Summer Learning and Enrichment Collaborative.

ED announced the launch of its Safer Schools and Campuses Best Practices Clearinghouse.

President Biden announced his intention to nominate Roberto Rodriguez to serve as Assistant Secretary of the ED’s Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development (OPEPD). He also announced his intention to nominate Rajesh Nayak to serve as Assistant Secretary of Policy in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

President Biden issued an Executive Order to establish a task force on worker organizing and empowerment.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will offer Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits to all low-income children of all ages during the 2021 summer.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics released data regarding the levels of college enrollment and employment among graduates of the class of 2020.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken approved a change in restrictions that will permit college students and academics from certain areas to enter the United States under a “National Interest Exception.”

The Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that its Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) will extend guidance from March 2020 into the 2021-2022 school year.

DOL announced a new grant program aimed at placing more women in registered apprenticeships and non-traditional occupations.

SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., a case involving free speech rights for K-12 students.

EVENTS

Penn Hill Group plans on providing clients a summary of the following events next week:

May 5: House Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on “FY 2022 Budget Request for the Department of Education”  

May 6: House Education and Labor Subcommittee Hearing on “Addressing the Impact of COVID-19 on Students with Disabilities”  

May 6: House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing on “Broadband Equity: Addressing Disparities in Access and Affordability”  

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Penn Hill Group provides a list of grant opportunities and summaries for select grants. Please visit our website for more information.