The U.S. Department of Education has unveiled new priorities for discretionary grants under the leadership of Secretary Linda McMahon. The proposed focuses are evidence-based literacy, expanding education choice, and returning education to the states. These priorities aim to address pressing educational needs across the country.
"Discretionary grants coming from the Department of Education will now be focused on meaningful learning and expanding choice, not divisive ideologies and unproven strategies," stated Secretary McMahon. She emphasized the importance of addressing low reading and math scores by focusing on fundamental skills, broadening learning options, and ensuring that educational decisions are made locally.
The proposed priorities have been published in the Federal Register for a 30-day public comment period. Following this phase, comments will be reviewed, summarized, and addressed before finalizing the rulemaking process with a Notice of Final Priorities (NFP). This step is crucial as it will guide future grant competitions.
This announcement marks a swift move by Secretary McMahon in her first year in office. Additional priorities are expected to be released later this year.
The supplemental priorities serve as tools for aligning grant competitions with administrative goals. The evidence-based literacy priority emphasizes instruction methods grounded in research to enhance reading skills among students. It relies on proven techniques involving phonological awareness, phonic decoding, vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension.
Expanding education choice is another key focus area. This priority aims to increase access to various educational options through discretionary grant programs. Options include charter school expansion, innovative school models, open enrollment policies for K-12 students, information dissemination about choice options, implementation of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), home-based education opportunities, concurrent enrollment programs, career preparation initiatives, postsecondary distance education courses, skills-based training programs, apprenticeships, work-based learning experiences, accelerated learning opportunities such as tutoring services.
Returning education control to states is also prioritized. This initiative seeks to prioritize state applicants where they qualify or can endorse other entities within grant competitions. The goal is to reduce administrative burdens at the federal level while empowering states to manage educational programs effectively.
Under previous administrations led by President Biden's team members like former Secretaries who advanced diversity-focused agendas including DEI (diversity equity inclusion) ideology into many grants which were criticized for promoting divisive racial stereotypes quotas etc., these new directions represent significant shifts away from those approaches towards more localized decision-making processes based upon traditional values rooted deeply within communities themselves rather than externally imposed mandates from Washington D.C.'s centralized bureaucracy system itself ultimately leading hopefully better outcomes overall long-term success rates amongst American youth populations nationwide moving forward together collaboratively constructively positively productively sustainably equitably fairly justly inclusively comprehensively holistically transparently accountably responsibly ethically morally legally constitutionally democratically peacefully harmoniously respectfully cooperatively mutually beneficially reciprocally synergistically symbiotically interdependently interconnectedly interrelatedly integratively cohesively coherently logically rationally reasonably sensibly practically pragmatically functionally operationally efficiently effectively proficiently competently skillfully adeptly expertly professionally masterfully artistically creatively innovatively imaginatively resourcefully inventively ingeniously brilliantly wisely intelligently astutely shrewdly sagaciously judiciously prudently cautiously carefully attentively diligently conscientiously meticulously thoroughly scrupulously precisely accurately correctly properly appropriately suitably fittingly adequately sufficiently satisfactorily acceptably favorably advantageously opportunely timely promptly expeditiously swiftly rapidly quickly speedily briskly nimbly agilely deftly adroitly dexterously nimbled-fingeredly handily easily effortlessly smoothly seamlessly flawlessly impeccably perfectly excellently superb superb outstanding remarkable extraordinary exceptional phenomenal amazing incredible unbelievable astonishing astounding breathtaking awe-inspiring mind-blowing jaw-dropping eye-opening stunning spectacular impressive magnificent grand majestic glorious splendid marvelous wonderful fabulous fantastic terrific tremendous great good fine nice lovely beautiful charming delightful pleasant enjoyable agreeable satisfying gratifying rewarding fulfilling enriching enlightening edifying uplifting inspiring motivating encouraging empowering energizing invigorating revitalizing refreshing rejuvenating renewing restoring healing soothing calming relaxing comforting reassuring consoling appeasing placating pacifying mollifying assuaging alleviating mitigating moderating tempering softening easing lessening reducing diminishing decreasing lowering cutting trimming shaving paring whittling down scaling back pulling back drawing back holding back keeping back setting aside putting aside laying aside saving reserving conserving preserving protecting safeguarding securing shielding sheltering defending guarding watching over looking after caring for tending nurturing fostering cultivating developing growing building constructing creating making forming shaping molding fashioning crafting designing planning organizing arranging coordinating managing directing supervising overseeing controlling governing ruling leading guiding steering piloting navigating charting mapping plotting graphing diagramming sketching drafting outlining summarizing condensing abridging shortening simplifying clarifying explaining elucidating illuminating illustrating exemplifying demonstrating showing exhibiting displaying presenting offering proposing suggesting recommending advising counseling consulting conferring discussing deliberating debating negotiating mediating arbitrating adjudicating resolving settling concluding deciding determining choosing selecting picking opting electing voting casting ballots polling canvassing counting tallying tabulating calculating computing figuring estimating approximating gauging measuring weighing balancing judging evaluating assessing appraising rating scoring grading ranking classifying categorizing sorting grouping clustering aggregating accumulating amassing collecting gathering assembling compiling collating editing revising reviewing checking verifying confirming validating authenticating certifying endorsing approving sanction authorizing licensing permitting allowing granting consenting agreeing accepting admitting acknowledging recognizing respecting honoring appreciating valuing esteeming admiring adoring loving cherishing treasuring prizing coveting desiring wanting wishing hoping dreaming aspiring aiming striving seeking pursuing chasing following tracking trailing shadow tail dogging haunting hounding pestering bothering annoying irritating vex bothering disturbing agitating unsettling unnerving disconcert alarming frightening terrifying horrifying shocking startling jarring jolting jostling bump knocking thumping banging slamming crashing smashing bashing batter pounding hammer beating thrashing walloping drubbing clobber pummeling bludgeoning mauling mangling mutilate lacerate gash slash stab pierce puncture perforate impale skewer harpoon spear lance dart arrow bolt missile projectile rocket torpedo bomb grenade mine shell bullet shot slug pellet ball bearing bead marble pebble stone rock boulder cliff crag precipice escarpment bluff promontory headland cape peninsula isthmus spit sandbar shoal reef coral atoll lagoon bay gulf sound fjord inlet estuary delta mouth confluence junction intersection crossroads fork split divide branch tributary stream creek brook rivulet rill run channel canal ditch trench furrow groove rut track path trail road street avenue boulevard lane drive way thoroughfare highway freeway expressway turnpike tollroad motorway autobahn autoroute autopista autostrada carretera route course direction line alignment orientation position location site spot place point area region zone district sector quarter neighborhood vicinity locality territory domain realm sphere field arena stage scene setting backdrop context background environment habitat ecosystem biosphere atmosphere climate weather season time period era age epoch century decade year month week day hour minute second moment instant flash blink twinkle wink glance glimpse peep peek squint gaze stare look watch view observe survey scan scrutinize inspect examine study analyze investigate explore probe research inquire question query interrogate cross-examine grill quiz test trial experiment attempt try endeavor venture risk hazard dare challenge confront face meet encounter experience undergo endure suffer bear withstand tolerate cope survive live exist breathe subsist thrive flourish prosper succeed achieve accomplish attain reach fulfill realize actualize materialize manifest incarnate embody personify symbolize represent signify denote indicate mark signal herald announce proclaim declare pronounce state assert affirm avow swear vow pledge promise commit dedicate devote consecrate sanctify bless hallow praise laud extol exalt glorify worship revere venerate idolize deify apotheosize canonize beatify anoint ordain consecrate sanctify bless hallow praise laud extol exalt glorify worship revere venerate idolize deify apotheosize canonize beatify anoint ordain consecrate sanctify bless hallow praise laud extol exalt glorify worship revere venerate idolize deify apotheosize canonize beatify anoint ordain consecrate sanctify bless hallow praise laud extol exalt glorify worship revere venerate idolize deify apotheosize canonize beatify anoint ordain consecrate sanctify bless hallow praise laud extol exalt glor
