12/20/02 ED Review
What's inside...
NCLB Update
Be a Teacher!
Service Campaign
Tracking Substance Abuse
Grants Forecast
Interagency Spotlight: More Science
Quote to Note
Upcoming Events
NCLB Update
Last week, the Department released guidance on both the public school choice and supplemental educational services provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. The first (http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/12-2002/12092002.html) tackles 66 questions about the choice mandate, such as the timing and duration of the option, the eligibility of students, when and how to notify parents, potential conflicts with desegregation orders, and funding. For example, the guidance makes clear that students with disabilities must be allowed to transfer out of low-performing schools. However, they "do not have to be offered their choice of the same schools as are offered to nondisabled students." Also, if a court-ordered desegregation plan forbids the choice option, the school district "needs to seek court approval for amendments to the plan that permit a transfer option for students." The second (http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/12-2002/12122002.html) covers 57 questions, such as identifying, approving, and monitoring supplemental service providers, arranging for services (delineating the role of the school district and the role of parents), and funding. One critical point: states "may not discriminate against potential supplemental services providers with regard to religion" or any other factor. "Thus, faith- and community-based organizations are encouraged to become providers of supplemental services on the same basis as other eligible entities." For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/asst.html.
On December 16, the Offices of Innovation and Improvement (OII) and Safe and Drug-Free Schools officially became operational. OII (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OII/) is conceived as a nimble, entrepreneurial arm of the agency, making strategic investments in promising practices and widely disseminating their results. It also consolidates those programs related to parental options—including charter schools, magnet schools, public school choice, non-public education, and family educational rights. The Safe and Drug-Free office (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSDFS/) brings together initiatives that were previously scattered across several offices: safe schools/crisis response; alcohol and drug prevention; the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of students; and building strong character and citizenship. It will also assume a leadership role in the agency's Homeland Security efforts. For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/12-2002/12172002.html.
Top
Be a Teacher!
A new brochure published by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans highlights 10 reasons to become a teacher. "People all across our great nation express their desire to make a difference in America, to share their pride in our country's values, to shape the future of our children," First Lady Laura Bush says in her forward to the list. "When they ask me what they can do to find personal and professional satisfaction, my advise is simple: become a teacher.... The challenges of teaching are outnumbered only by the rewards that come from helping children realize their dreams." Classic Reason #6—To make the same kind of difference in a child's life as your favorite teacher made in yours. For more information, please go to http://www.yesican.gov/publications/.
Top
Service Campaign
Hoping to engage 1,000 American businesses in new or additional service projects over the next three years, Business Strengthening America (BSA) recently launched a multi-year campaign to encourage civic engagement and increase corporate volunteering. As part of the three year campaign, BSA is committed to several initiatives. In June 2003, it will host a conference to share best practices and findings on the business case for employee volunteer service. In addition, BSA will schedule Executive Service Events in major metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, and Washington, DC. According to the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College, employees involved in corporate-sponsored community events are 30 percent more likely to continue working for that company and contribute to its overall success. For more information, please go to http://bsa.networkforgood.org/. (President Bush's remarks at the campaign's launch are available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021210-3.html.)
Also: On December 12, the Business Roundtable brought together five of the nation's leading education experts to discuss the first year of implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. For more information, please go to http://www.brt.org/press.cfm/794.
Top
Tracking Substance Abuse
For the first time, the annual Monitoring the Future survey of U.S. secondary students reported that smoking, drinking, and the use of illegal drugs fell simultaneously. Moreover, the use of ecstasy is also down, after several recent years of growth. But the use of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, drugs for which there has been far less of an organized campaign by the government or private groups to publicize their dangers in the past few years, held about even. Social psychologist Lloyd Johnson, the study's principal investigator, believes 9/11 may have played a role in some of the downturns. "A decline in use already was underway for a number of substances, including cigarettes, inhalants, LSD, and others," he observed. "On the other hand, the downturn in alcohol use this year was striking, and overall illicit drug use began to decline...across the board. So, I think it quite possible that the tragic events of 9/11 had somewhat of a sobering effect on the country's young people. Maybe it helped some, at least, to clarify what is and what is not important to them." For more information, please go to http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.
Top
Grants Forecast
Be sure to review the revised (as of December 18) FY 2003 Grants Forecast (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCFO/grants/forecast.html), which lists virtually all programs and competitions under which the Department has invited or expects to invite applications for awards and provides actual or estimated dates for the transmittal of applications under these programs. The lists are in the form of charts—organized according to the Department's principal program offices—and will be updated regularly through July 2003. (This document is advisory only and is not an official application notice of the U.S. Department of Education.)
Top
Interagency Spotlight: More Science
From time-to-time, this section of ED Review will highlight the education-related activities of other federal agencies. Twenty-two federal agencies meet regularly, under the auspices of the Federal Interagency Committee on Education (FICE), to discuss and coordinate the federal investment in education.
More and more effective science education remains a top priority for business and industry. Consider the following two recent reports. The Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry's final report (http://www.aerospacecommission.gov/) recommends "the nation immediately reverse the decline in, and promote the growth of, a scientifically and technologically trained U.S. aerospace workforce." To facilitate this transformation, it proposes creating an interagency task force to develop a strategy on the aerospace workforce, establishing lifelong learning and individualized instruction as key elements of educational reform, and making long-term investments in education and training with a major emphasis in math and science. The recommendation concludes "our policymakers need to acknowledge that the nation's apathy...is the equivalent of intellectual and industrial disarmament." Meanwhile, the Commission on Ocean Policy's mid-term report (http://www.oceancommission.gov/) laments "most people do not understand the basic scientific processes that drive the marine environment and are unaware of the most pressing issues we face.... Even those who do not live near the oceans need to feel ownership and a sense of responsibility to care for ocean resources." The group calls for coordinated mechanisms to promote and enhance education on a national level.
Top
Quote to Note
"When you show concern, it helps your customer base. It helps employee morale. It sends messages into the community in which you exist that you're more than just a capitalistic enterprise; you're a capitalistic enterprise with a strong conscience. You'll find that employees walk a little better down the halls of your companies when you've encouraged them to help a neighbor in need. There's nothing like giving a little bit of yourself to enrich your life. And when the person's life is enriched, so is the company as a whole.... It's amazing what happens when you serve somebody in need in terms of building loyalty."
—President George W. Bush (12/10/02)
Top
Upcoming Events
On January 13, in Denver, Colorado, the White House and the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Labor are hosting a conference to help faith-based and community organizations learn more about President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative. The federal government is committed to helping these groups compete on an equal footing for federal dollars, receive greater private support, and face fewer bureaucratic barriers. For more information, please go to http://www.fbci.gov. (All interested parties must register by December 23.)
The U.S. Conference of Mayors' winter meeting is scheduled for January 22, 23, and 24, here in Washington, DC. Attendance is limited to mayors and city staff and invited guests. For more information, please go to http://www.usmayors.org/71stWinterMeeting/.
Holiday Bonus: Check out Barney Cam, a four-and-a-half minute, dog's-eye video romp of the presidential Scottish terrier tearing through holiday-decorated White House. For more information, please go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/.
Top
Credits
Please feel free to contact the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs with any questions:
Deputy Assistant Secretary—Terri Rayburn, (202) 401-0404, Terri.Rayburn@ed.gov
Program Analyst—Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!), please contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/offices/OIIA/OIA/edreview/.
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NCLB Update
Be a Teacher!
Service Campaign
Tracking Substance Abuse
Grants Forecast
Interagency Spotlight: More Science
Quote to Note
Upcoming Events
NCLB Update
Last week, the Department released guidance on both the public school choice and supplemental educational services provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act. The first (http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/12-2002/12092002.html) tackles 66 questions about the choice mandate, such as the timing and duration of the option, the eligibility of students, when and how to notify parents, potential conflicts with desegregation orders, and funding. For example, the guidance makes clear that students with disabilities must be allowed to transfer out of low-performing schools. However, they "do not have to be offered their choice of the same schools as are offered to nondisabled students." Also, if a court-ordered desegregation plan forbids the choice option, the school district "needs to seek court approval for amendments to the plan that permit a transfer option for students." The second (http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/12-2002/12122002.html) covers 57 questions, such as identifying, approving, and monitoring supplemental service providers, arranging for services (delineating the role of the school district and the role of parents), and funding. One critical point: states "may not discriminate against potential supplemental services providers with regard to religion" or any other factor. "Thus, faith- and community-based organizations are encouraged to become providers of supplemental services on the same basis as other eligible entities." For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/asst.html.
On December 16, the Offices of Innovation and Improvement (OII) and Safe and Drug-Free Schools officially became operational. OII (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OII/) is conceived as a nimble, entrepreneurial arm of the agency, making strategic investments in promising practices and widely disseminating their results. It also consolidates those programs related to parental options—including charter schools, magnet schools, public school choice, non-public education, and family educational rights. The Safe and Drug-Free office (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSDFS/) brings together initiatives that were previously scattered across several offices: safe schools/crisis response; alcohol and drug prevention; the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of students; and building strong character and citizenship. It will also assume a leadership role in the agency's Homeland Security efforts. For more information, please go to http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/12-2002/12172002.html.
Be a Teacher!
A new brochure published by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans highlights 10 reasons to become a teacher. "People all across our great nation express their desire to make a difference in America, to share their pride in our country's values, to shape the future of our children," First Lady Laura Bush says in her forward to the list. "When they ask me what they can do to find personal and professional satisfaction, my advise is simple: become a teacher.... The challenges of teaching are outnumbered only by the rewards that come from helping children realize their dreams." Classic Reason #6—To make the same kind of difference in a child's life as your favorite teacher made in yours. For more information, please go to http://www.yesican.gov/publications/.
Service Campaign
Hoping to engage 1,000 American businesses in new or additional service projects over the next three years, Business Strengthening America (BSA) recently launched a multi-year campaign to encourage civic engagement and increase corporate volunteering. As part of the three year campaign, BSA is committed to several initiatives. In June 2003, it will host a conference to share best practices and findings on the business case for employee volunteer service. In addition, BSA will schedule Executive Service Events in major metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, and Washington, DC. According to the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College, employees involved in corporate-sponsored community events are 30 percent more likely to continue working for that company and contribute to its overall success. For more information, please go to http://bsa.networkforgood.org/. (President Bush's remarks at the campaign's launch are available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021210-3.html.)
Also: On December 12, the Business Roundtable brought together five of the nation's leading education experts to discuss the first year of implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. For more information, please go to http://www.brt.org/press.cfm/794.
Tracking Substance Abuse
For the first time, the annual Monitoring the Future survey of U.S. secondary students reported that smoking, drinking, and the use of illegal drugs fell simultaneously. Moreover, the use of ecstasy is also down, after several recent years of growth. But the use of heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, drugs for which there has been far less of an organized campaign by the government or private groups to publicize their dangers in the past few years, held about even. Social psychologist Lloyd Johnson, the study's principal investigator, believes 9/11 may have played a role in some of the downturns. "A decline in use already was underway for a number of substances, including cigarettes, inhalants, LSD, and others," he observed. "On the other hand, the downturn in alcohol use this year was striking, and overall illicit drug use began to decline...across the board. So, I think it quite possible that the tragic events of 9/11 had somewhat of a sobering effect on the country's young people. Maybe it helped some, at least, to clarify what is and what is not important to them." For more information, please go to http://www.monitoringthefuture.org/.
Grants Forecast
Be sure to review the revised (as of December 18) FY 2003 Grants Forecast (http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCFO/grants/forecast.html), which lists virtually all programs and competitions under which the Department has invited or expects to invite applications for awards and provides actual or estimated dates for the transmittal of applications under these programs. The lists are in the form of charts—organized according to the Department's principal program offices—and will be updated regularly through July 2003. (This document is advisory only and is not an official application notice of the U.S. Department of Education.)
Interagency Spotlight: More Science
From time-to-time, this section of ED Review will highlight the education-related activities of other federal agencies. Twenty-two federal agencies meet regularly, under the auspices of the Federal Interagency Committee on Education (FICE), to discuss and coordinate the federal investment in education.
More and more effective science education remains a top priority for business and industry. Consider the following two recent reports. The Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry's final report (http://www.aerospacecommission.gov/) recommends "the nation immediately reverse the decline in, and promote the growth of, a scientifically and technologically trained U.S. aerospace workforce." To facilitate this transformation, it proposes creating an interagency task force to develop a strategy on the aerospace workforce, establishing lifelong learning and individualized instruction as key elements of educational reform, and making long-term investments in education and training with a major emphasis in math and science. The recommendation concludes "our policymakers need to acknowledge that the nation's apathy...is the equivalent of intellectual and industrial disarmament." Meanwhile, the Commission on Ocean Policy's mid-term report (http://www.oceancommission.gov/) laments "most people do not understand the basic scientific processes that drive the marine environment and are unaware of the most pressing issues we face.... Even those who do not live near the oceans need to feel ownership and a sense of responsibility to care for ocean resources." The group calls for coordinated mechanisms to promote and enhance education on a national level.
Quote to Note
"When you show concern, it helps your customer base. It helps employee morale. It sends messages into the community in which you exist that you're more than just a capitalistic enterprise; you're a capitalistic enterprise with a strong conscience. You'll find that employees walk a little better down the halls of your companies when you've encouraged them to help a neighbor in need. There's nothing like giving a little bit of yourself to enrich your life. And when the person's life is enriched, so is the company as a whole.... It's amazing what happens when you serve somebody in need in terms of building loyalty."
—President George W. Bush (12/10/02)
Upcoming Events
On January 13, in Denver, Colorado, the White House and the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Labor are hosting a conference to help faith-based and community organizations learn more about President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative. The federal government is committed to helping these groups compete on an equal footing for federal dollars, receive greater private support, and face fewer bureaucratic barriers. For more information, please go to http://www.fbci.gov. (All interested parties must register by December 23.)
The U.S. Conference of Mayors' winter meeting is scheduled for January 22, 23, and 24, here in Washington, DC. Attendance is limited to mayors and city staff and invited guests. For more information, please go to http://www.usmayors.org/71stWinterMeeting/.
Holiday Bonus: Check out Barney Cam, a four-and-a-half minute, dog's-eye video romp of the presidential Scottish terrier tearing through holiday-decorated White House. For more information, please go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/holiday/.
Credits
Please feel free to contact the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs with any questions:
Deputy Assistant Secretary—Terri Rayburn, (202) 401-0404, Terri.Rayburn@ed.gov
Program Analyst—Adam Honeysett, (202) 401-3003, Adam.Honeysett@ed.gov
To be added or removed from distribution, or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!), please contact Adam Honeysett. Or, visit http://www.ed.gov/offices/OIIA/OIA/edreview/.
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Last Modified: 05/19/2008
