CEC Weighs in On Proposed Changes to Federal Grantmaking
Last Friday, the Council for Exceptional Children submitted comments on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s proposed revisions to the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance. The guidance determines how federal agencies award grants and other funding to states, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other grantees. Proposed changes would significantly alter the way grantmaking is conducted and overseen across the federal government.
CEC’s comments are aimed at “making the federal grantmaking process stable, high-quality, and free from political influence, and preserving the professional learning that is essential to advancing the field of special education.” Specifically, CEC recommends maintaining objectivity through a strong peer-review system and preventing bias in grantmaking; maintaining the current level of reporting rather than adding additional layers that add to paperwork burden; maintaining the existing system of terminating grants only if they are found to be out of compliance; and allowing grantees the discretion to attend and present at professional conferences without prior approval.
Overall, OMB’s proposed changes yielded nearly 500,000 comments, which the Office will need to review and respond to.