Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Title IV, Part A ESSA Coalition Response to Proposed FY17 Low Funding Level

Over 50 national organizations express deep concern and disappointment with FY17 funding level of ESSA's flexible block grant.

Washington D.C., May 2, 2017 –– On behalf of the undersigned members of the Title IV, A Coalition, we offer the following response to the $400 million appropriated by Congress and the language allowing states to change the structure of the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grant program, authorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act, for fiscal year 2017:

"We are deeply disappointed in Congress' decision to fund the SSAE grant program (Title IV, A of ESSA) at $400 million, which is just 25 percent of its ESSA authorization level. From our perspective, this level of funding undermines Congressional intent to give states and districts the flexibility to make meaningful investments in a range of programs that foster safe and healthy school climates, ensure students receive a well-rounded education, and allow for the effective use of technology.

Although we appreciate members of Congress seeking input on the most effective way to structure a competitive option, we maintain that they should fund Title IV, Part A at the fully authorized level in FY18 so the program can run as intended and benefits students across the country. We urge states to seriously consider the competitive option offered in the FY17 Omnibus Appropriations bill as a way to ensure that many, albeit not all, of their districts receive funding at levels sufficient to make a difference.

We hope that Congress and the Administration will provide full funding for SSAE next year and beyond, thereby obviating the need to offer the state competition option again."

• Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK)
• Alliance for Excellent Education
• American Association of School Librarians
• American College of Sports Medicine
• American Council for School Social Work
• American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
• American Dance Therapy Association
• American Library Association
• American Music Therapy Association
• American Occupational Therapy Association
• American Psychological Association
• American School Counselor Association
• ASCD
• Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO)
• Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
• College in High School Alliance
• CoSN
• Futures Without Violence
• Girls Inc.
• Health and Education Alliance of Louisiana (HEAL)
• HealthCorps
• Healthy Schools Campaign
• International Society for Technology in Education
• Jobs for the Future
• League of American Orchestras
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• Lyons Club International
• Museum of Science, Boston
• National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP)
• National Association for College Admission Counseling
• National Association for Music Education (NafME)
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)
• National Association of School Nurses
• National Association of School Psychologists
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
• National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE)
• National Center for Learning Disabilities
• National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA)
• National PTA
• National School Boards Association
• National Science Teachers Association
• National Summer Learning Association
• Safe Routes to School National Partnership
• School Social Work Association of America
• SHAPE America - Society of Health and Physical Educators
• Society for Public Health Education
• State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA)
• The American Counseling Association
• The College Board
• The Corps Network
• The Joyful Child Foundation
• Trust for America's Health

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