As of this writing, the House and Senate have negotiated a continuing resolution, a temporary budget measure that will keep the government operating through Dec. 16. During that period, Congress will work on finalizing fiscal year 2023 appropriations for all federal programs, including education programs.

Title IIA, which provides funding for professional learning to school districts, is in relatively good shape going into these negotiations, with the House Appropriations Committee approving a $100 million increase for next year and Senate Democrats supporting an $83 million increase. However, it remains to be seen what the final number will be and whether Congress can complete work on fiscal year 2023 appropriations before it adjourns for the year.

Learning Forward and its stakeholder community have urged Congress to approve a final, negotiated fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill that contains a $100 million increase for Title IIA. We do not want Congress to kick funding decisions on Title IIA and other key education programs into next year or simply pass a yearlong continuing resolution that would lead to flat funding for Title IIA and virtually all education programs.

For more information, contact Melinda George, Learning Forward’s chief policy officer, at melinda.george@learningforward.org.