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HPE Advocacy Continues Despite Coronavirus Crisis By Carly Wright @CWrightHPE
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n March 11 — just hours before the U.S. Capitol closed its doors to visitors — 150 SHAPE America members representing 32 states met with congressional representatives as part of our annual SPEAK Out! Day. Due to the initial recommendations for social distancing in place at the time, these HPE advocates had to forgo the traditional handshakes with legislators, but that didn’t stop them from advocating for health and physical education! That day — with the emerging coronavirus crisis on everyone’s mind — they used the opportunity to educate more than 160 members of Congress about the importance of teaching students the skills to develop health and physical literacy. And now that millions of students are quarantined at home with their families, health education, physical education, and physical activity seem more important than ever. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES This year, the major SPEAK Out! Day asks of lawmakers were to fully fund the federal education programs Title II, Part A and Title IV, Part A, under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for fiscal year 2021.
SHAPE America continues to have a strong voice on Capitol Hill during this time of distance learning. Under Title IV, Part A, schools receive funding to support a well-rounded education, safe and healthy student programs, and effective use of technology. Congress funded Title IV, Part A at $1.17 billion for the 2019-20 school year and at $1.21 billion for the 2020-21 school year. As Congress reconciles appropriations for FY 2021 and beyond, it’s critical that the health and physical education community continues its strong advocacy efforts for this important funding stream, especially as schools navigate a new reality that now includes virtual learning and social distancing. 12
Momentum • Spring 2020
In addition to pushing for full funding for Title IV, Part A, advocates also asked Congress to support continued funding for Title II, Part A, which supports professional development for all school employees, including for health and physical education programs. SHAPE America continues to have a strong voice on Capitol Hill during this time of distance learning in order to maintain funding and support for health and physical education moving forward. Be sure to join these efforts by visiting the SHAPE America Legislative Action Center for backyard advocacy resources and to email your members of Congress directly. CORONAVIRUS STIMULUS FUNDS FOR SCHOOLS SHAPE America is working with a coalition of education organizations to advocate for school funding within the stimulus packages that Congress is drafting as a response to the coronavirus pandemic. The most recent stimulus package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which became law on March 27, included $30.75 million in school funding. Of that, $13.5 billion will be distributed by the U.S. Department of Education to K-12 schools via the Title I formula to support low-income schools and $3 billion will be distributed to state governors to distribute locally in the areas most impacted by coronavirus. The remaining $14.25 billion will provide financial aid to students attending higher education institutions. Stay tuned to the SHAPE America Blog for more updates as additional stimulus legislation is passed.