---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Gaelyn Hastings <[log in to unmask]> Date: Mon, Nov 2, 2015 at 4:03 PM Subject: {Disarmed} Everyone Comment Please! November 5th Deadline for Talent Search RFP Comments Fast Approaching To: [log in to unmask] Hello NEOA! I know we are all busy but this will not take long and is very important. The comment period deadline for the draft ETS RFP is 11/5 (EOC comment period is also fast approaching - 11/23). There are some serious concerns that need to be addressed. We are not all ETS but we can all still make comments of concerns and the higher number the better the chance for change on the RFP. Below are some points laid out from some of our ETS leaders for you to reference. You can use these concerns or you may use your own as you review the draft. You can see Oscar Felix’s email from earlier today below, the link for comment is attached. Example Comments on Major Concerns: · *On-going budgetary concerns even without adding this new "mandate" is problematic; * · *Changing the original legislative intent of ETS is problematic; * · *Imposing an undue burden on small CBOs and rural programs ALL add up to potentially making ETS a less effective program for the LARGE numbers of disadvantaged students we are mandated to serve.* · Proposed Competitive Preference Priorities are already listed under permissible services: o Competitive Preference Priorities proposed in the draft RFP for Talent Search; providing academic tutoring and providing mentoring programs. o Both activities are currently listed under §1070a–12. Talent search, (c) Permissible services (1) academic tutoring, which may include instruction in reading, writing, study skills, mathematics, science, and other subjects;…. o (6) mentoring programs involving elementary or secondary school teachers or counselors, faculty members at institutions of higher education, students, or any combination of such persons;… *Concern:* § *Projected level of funding; $460/per student is not sufficient for the thoughtful planning, preparation, and oversight successful tutoring and mentoring programs require. * § *A review of research on the What Works Clearinghouse provided no research that produced Evidence of Promise or Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness for mentoring programs, and only one for academic tutoring for populations, for students who are the age of our Talent Search students. * · *These should not be the priorities. They are taking optional services and basically making them mandatory.* · *There is not enough in the What Works Database that will fit the Evidence of Promise or Moderate Evidence of Effectiveness standards. If they are going to use these as the standards, they need to provide the resources.* · *Other competitive Priorities would be a much better fit, for example non-cognitive thinking, which many of us assumed would be one of the options.* Please take a few minutes to post a comment today! Thank you to those that organized the above concerns and thank you to everyone for taking a few minutes to comment! We are stronger together, advocating for the best service for our students is very important. *Gaelyn Hastings, M.Ed.* *NEOA President* *From:* Angelica Vialpando [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *Sent:* Monday, November 02, 2015 9:37 AM *To:* Gaelyn Hastings *Subject:* November 5th Deadline for Talent Search RFP Comments Fast Approaching Are you having trouble viewing this message? Click here <http://t.congressweb.com/w/?LDFXVYMSAM> Dear Talent Search Colleague, Thank you to those of you who have already responded to the draft Talent Search Request for Proposals (RFP), particularly as it concerns the inclusion of Competitive Priorities 1 and 2. As of this morning only 48 comments, out of 460 Talent Search grantees, have been posted to the website. If you have not posted, I encourage you to do so regardless of the fact that comments may be repetitive. It is important that we all express our concerns about these additions. Also, you may want to share your thoughts with your Congressional Representative, so that they can be made aware of proposed changes to the original legislative intent of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Although the website indicates that comments are being taken until December 7th, according to a post on the US Department of Education Bulletin Board, they are only being collected until November 5th. 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