Update: Safe and Drug-Free Schools Act Program

1
Update Safe and Drug-Free Schools Act Program

• Technical Assistance Workshop
• Sheraton Park South
• April 24, 2007

2
What We Know (for sure!)

• SDFSCA Program has been around since the mid
  1980s.
• Began as the Drug-Free Schools and Communities
  Act (DFSCA).
• Reauthorized in 1994 as a part of the Improving
  Americas Schools Act (IASA).
• Reauthorization added the safe schools component
  became the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and
  Communities Act (SDFSCA).

3
What We Know (for sure!)

• Gun-Free Schools Act became effective in 1994.
• Principles of Effectiveness were released in
  1998.
• SDFSCA reauthorized as a part of the No Child
  Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001.
• NCLB included the Unsafe School Choice Option
  (Persistently Dangerous Schools).

4
What We Know (for sure!)

• As a part of the 2001 reauthorization, the GFSA
  and the Principles of Effectiveness were
  codified.
• On February 15, 2007, President Bush signed
  Public Law 110-5. This continuing resolution
  provides for SDFSCA funding for the 2007-08
  fiscal year (that begins July 1, 2007).

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What we dont know at this point

• Precise level of funding for the 2007-08 fiscal
  year.
• Refer to SUPTS. MEMO NO. 143,
• Dated July 28, 2006 (for last years
  allocation tables).

6
Whats going to happen for FY 2008-09????

• The truth is, we dont know!

7
Whats being proposed?

• Reduction of funding to states.
• Changing how the program works.
• Changes suggested include
• Eliminate governors portion
• Eliminate funding to school districts.
• Increase funding to state departments of
  education.

8
When will we know something?

• We promise that you will know something just
  as soon as we know something.

9
Stay Tuned

• Some possibilities include.
• Continuing resolution by Congress.
• Reauthorization of the NCLB Act.

10
Contact Information

• Arlene D. Cundiff
• Coordinator
• Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program
• Virginia Department of Education
• P.O. Box 2120
• Richmond, VA 23218
• 804-225-2871 (phone)
• 804-786-9769 (fax)
• arlene.cundiff_at_doe.virginia.gov