News Briefs | FYI | March 21, 2022

Association of California School Administrators

News Briefs | FYI

March 21, 2021

Omnibus bill includes $2.9B increase in ed spending

Congress has approved a $1.5 trillion fiscal year 2022 omnibus bill that includes an increase in Department of Education funding, according to an update from Foresight Law + Policy.

The bill, which was signed by President Joe Biden on March 15, funds the federal government until the end of September. It also has an increase of $2.9 billion above fiscal year 2021 enacted levels in Department of Education funding. Highlights include:

$17.5 billion for ESSA Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies, an increase of $1 billion above the FY 2021 enacted level.
$2.2 billion for ESSA Title II-A, an increase of $27 million above the FY 2021 enacted level.
$13.3 billion for IDEA Part B, an increase of $406 million above the FY 2021 enacted level.
$1.3 billion for Student Support and Academic Enrichment State Grants, an increase of $60 million above the FY 2021 enacted level.
$1.38 billion for CTE State Grants, an increase of $45 million above the FY 2021 enacted level.

Salary study tracks earnings, benefits for superintendents

Female superintendents earn 96 percent of what male superintendents earn, according to results from an annual salary study by AASA.

The 2021–22 AASA Superintendent Salary & Benefits Study tracks the demographics, salary, benefits and other elements of the employment agreements of school superintendents nationwide.

The results are based on 1,776 responses from superintendents in an online survey, which the authors said are not necessarily representative of all superintendents.

The study includes tables with the median salaries of superintendents and other school administrators based on their race, gender, district size, education level and other characteristics. It also contains survey responses on types of benefits, how often contracts require performance evaluations, use of legal counsel and more.

“The closure of ERS (Education Research Service) nearly a decade ago created a void in data about superintendent salary and benefits,” according to the report. “AASA responded to the need for data by developing a comprehensive study of the salary and benefits of school superintendents that far exceeded previous studies undertaken on this topic.”

SPI names Waters Ambassador to California Education

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond recognized Alice Waters — chef, author, restaurateur, food activist and educator — as an Ambassador to California Education, during National School Breakfast Week, March 7-11.

Waters joins distinguished Education Ambassadors Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dolores Huerta, Karen Korematsu and Betty Reid Soskin in demonstrating outstanding dedication and contributions to support the education of California’s students.

FYI

ACSA Preliminary Credential program now enrolling

Help the next generation of school leaders begin their journey at Leadership Institute, ACSA’s Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. The Fall 2022 cohort begins in August with sessions online and in Southern California. Download the Leadership Institute flier online and send it to a teacher leader who may be interested in the next steps to becoming an administrator. Deadline to apply is April 29, 2022. Visit acsa.org/credentialing for the flier and more information.

$350M available to expand teacher residency programs

The California state budget signed in July 2021 includes a total of $350 million in funding for competitive grants to expand, strengthen, improve access to, or create teacher residency programs. The Teacher Residency Expansion Grant Request for Applications is now open and due by 5 p.m. April 15, 2022. The due date for this RFA is a quick turnaround for those programs that are ready now to enroll residents in fall 2022. Visit www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/grant-funded-programs/teacher-residency-grant-program for more info.

Suicide prevention training available for school staff

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-24. Research shows that suicide is preventable and California is taking action. Learn the signs of suicidal ideation and knowing what to do by taking the LivingWorks Start Training. The 90-minute, interactive training is free to middle (13+) and high school staff and students in California and is funded by AB 1808. Visit www.lwyouthsummit.com/access-training for more information.