NAPE Public Policy Update
Congress
New Look for Congress: More Ethnic Diversity, More 'Badass Women'  
(Courtesy of Mitchell Miller, WTOP News)
Newly elected members of the 116th Congress won't be sworn in until next year, but they've already made some history, just by posing for the traditional freshman photo in front of the U.S. Capitol. The House will have an unprecedented number of African-Americans and Latinos. Veronica Escobar and Sylvia Garcia are the first Latinas from Texas in Congress. Read More >> 
 
Could Divided Congress Compromise on Higher Education? 
(Courtesy of Eric Kelderman, The Chronicle of Higher Education and University World News) In the wake of the mid-term election results in the United States, there will inevitably be talk of reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, the main federal law governing student aid and other key higher education policies, during the next two years. Read More >> 
Administration
Betsy DeVos's Sexual-Assault Rules Would Let the Accused Cross-Examine Accusers
(Courtesy of Adam Harris, The Atlantic)
On Friday November 16, 2018, the Education Department released its heavily anticipated proposal that would revamp the way colleges deal with accusations of sexual misconduct on campus. Many of the details in the proposed regulation did not come as a surprise. Still, one feature of the rules in particular stood out: Colleges will be required to allow students accused of sexual assault to cross-examine their accuser at a live hearing. Read More >> 
Other news
ESSA's Focus on Chronic Absenteeism Breeds Variety of District Strategies
(Courtesy of Allie Gross, Education DIVE)
Under ESSA, many states define "chronic absenteeism" as missing 18 days in a 180-day school year, as noted by District Administration. The greater focus on chronic absenteeism is leading districts across the country to try all sorts of methods to get kids to school, ranging from mailing parents informational letters to offering counseling and support services. Read More >> 

New Reports Look at Equity in ESSA Plans and Implementation
(Courtesy of Advance CTE)
Several organizations have released reports about how equity is addressed in state plans for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the status of implementation. Read More >>
NAPE Perkins V resources
This fall, NAPE will collaborate with Advance CTE, ACTE, and the American Association of Community Colleges in four Perkins V Regional Planning Meetings, which will occur around the country between late October and early December. These meetings will be an important opportunity for state directors and their teams to learn about the new law, collaborate with partners and peers, and begin to map out their transition plans.