There is considerable confusion among private K-12 school families-and misinformation from OCR staff-regarding Title IX in private schools that receive federal funds.  Some families whose schools receive federal funds have filed a complaint with OCR only to be told that OCR doesn't have jurisdiction over the complaint. Without further explanation, the family believes they have no recourse to file a Title IX complaint. The family only failed to file the complaint with the agency that provided funding (often the Department of Agriculture). To clarify how families can determine whether their private school receives federal funding and how to file a complaint with the appropriate federal agency, SSAIS requested the creation of Title IX and Private Schools. This blog will be referenced in the forthcoming SSAIS parent toolkit.

(Courtesy of ACTE)
Today, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Perkins funding "dear colleague" letter was submitted to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee with a new record of 170 signatures! Thanks to the hard work of CTE advocates nationwide, this total includes 46 Republicans and 124 Democrats representing 40 different states or territories. The letter, addressed to Subcommittee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) urges "strong support for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act in FY 2019" funding bills.  This unprecedented show of support should help to establish CTE as a priority as Congress moves through the budget and appropriations process. We extend our appreciations to every lawmaker who signed the letter, and to House CTE Caucus Co-chairs Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI), who led this effort. A complete list of signers can be found here.

"The AFT has always advocated proudly for LGBTQ students, and we endorse this bill to prohibit discrimination against them in school programs. No child should fear being barred from a school program or denied the resources to participate simply because of who they are, and all students deserve a safe, supportive educational environment where they are treated equally and fairly. Yet we know that a much harsher reality still persists for too many of our LGBTQ students. Our federal government must work with schools to create safe, inclusive and welcoming learning environments, free of bullying and harassment, and the AFT stands behind this bill's efforts to deny federal funds to schools offering anything less."