An OSBA newsletter for school board members on the No Child Left Behind Act — April 2007

Curriculum issues                                                                               by Rob Delane, director of school board development
A comprehensive approach to youth violence prevention
The Safe Schools/Healthy Student Initiative is a unique federal grant-making program designed to prevent violence and substance abuse among the nation’s youth, schools and communities. The U.S. Department of Education, Health and Human Services and Department of Justice expect to release an announcement about the Safe Students Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 competition this spring. For more information visit: www.sshs.samhsa.gov/initiative/default.aspx

Legislative issues                                                                                     by Fred Pausch, director of legislative services
FY 2008: Joint funding update
On March 23, 2007, the U.S. Senate passed its FY 2008 budget, Senate Concurrent Resolution 21, by a vote of 52-47. The FY 2008 budget resolution includes a $6.1 billion increase for education over that supported by President George W. Bush. According to Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), the additional increases will be applied to special education, the No Child Left Behind Act and higher education. Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine joined Democratic senators to vote in favor of the measure.