April 2011

President Obama, Dr. Jill Biden to Honor Teachers of the Year

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, President Obama will honor the 2011 National Teacher of the Year and State Teachers of the Year, thanking them for their hard work and dedication each and every day in the classroom. The President believes that the education of our children is critical to our nation’s success as we compete in a 21st century global economy.

Administration Officials Join Millions of Americans in Public Earthquake Drill

ST. LOUIS–U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today joined leaders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state and local officials, and more than 3 million Americans across the central United States to participate in the Great Central U.S.

President Obama Honors Outstanding Math and Science Teachers

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Obama today named 85 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The educators will receive their awards in Washington, D.C. later this year.

New Report Shows Hispanic Success in Education Key to America's Future; Largest U.S. Minority Group Has Lowest Education Attainment Levels

MIAMI – Hispanic success in education and in the labor market is of immediate and long‐term importance to America’s economy, according to a new report released today by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics and the U.S. Department of Education. The report shows that Hispanics have the lowest education attainment level overall of any group in the U.S.

U.S. Education Secretary Announces $30 Million for New Round of Promise Neighborhoods Grants to be Awarded This Year

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced today $30 million in funding for a second round of Promise Neighborhoods grants to be divided between a new set of planning grants and implementation grants.

Department of Education Starts Award for 'Green' Schools

The U.S. Department of Education announced today the creation of the Green Ribbon Schools program to recognize schools that are creating healthy and sustainable learning environments and teaching environmental literacy. The new awards program will be run by the Education Department with the support of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the U.S.

Texas to Receive $830.8 Million to Support Education Jobs

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that Texas will receive $830.8 million to support education jobs.

"There is a huge sense of urgency to get these funds out the door," said Duncan. "These education dollars will help Texas keep teachers in the classroom working with our students this year."

Education, Treasury Recognize High-Scoring Students in the 2010-11 National Financial Capability Challenge

As part of an ongoing effort to mark national Financial Literacy Month, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of the Treasury today recognized high-scoring students in the National Financial Capability Challenge for the 2010-11 school year.

Secretaries Duncan and Sebelius launch outreach effort to help make graduating students aware of the new health coverage options under the Affordable Care Act

Today, Education (ED) Secretary Arne Duncan and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius launched a new initiative to help educate graduating college and university seniors about their new health insurance options under the Affordable Care Act.

New Hampshire to Receive $1.47 Million to Turn Around Its Persistently Lowest-Achieving Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that New Hampshire will receive $1.47 million to turn around its persistently lowest achieving schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program. The funds are part of $546 million available to states for the School Improvement Grant program in fiscal year 2010.

Secs. Duncan, Napolitano Call on Schools and Colleges to Participate in April Earthquake Drill

WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano called on K-12 schools and colleges and universities across the central U.S. – and throughout the country – to help their students, faculty and communities prepare for earthquakes by participating in a public earthquake drill on Thursday, April 28, 2011.

Statement of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Chicago's New Education Team and Proposed Reforms in Illinois

“I want to commend Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel for choosing a diverse and outstanding team to lead the Chicago Public Schools and take education reform forward. Like many schools districts, Chicago faces considerable educational and budgetary challenges, but the people announced today bring tremendous experience, knowledge and commitment to the job.

Departments of Education and Justice Reach Agreement with Owatonna, Minn., Public Schools to Resolve Harassment Allegations

WASHINGTON – Today, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, reached a settlement agreement with Independent School District #761 in Owatonna, Minn., to resolve an investigation into race and national origin harassment and disproportionate discipline of Somali-American students at Owatonna High School.

Eleven States Receive Funding to Turn Around Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that eleven states will receive funding to turn around their persistently lowest achieving schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program.

White House, Department of Education Announce 2011 Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge Finalists

WASHINGTON – Today, the White House and the U.S. Department of Education announced the six high schools selected as finalists for this year’s Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. As part of the next step of the Commencement Challenge, the Get Schooled Foundation will now work with each school to produce a video for the online voting portion of the challenge.

U.S. Education Department Launches Initiatives to Safeguard Student Privacy

The U.S. Department of Education today announced a series of initiatives to safeguard student privacy while clarifying that states have the flexibility to share school data that are necessary to judge the effectiveness of government investments in education.

Vice President Biden Announces New Administration Effort to Help Nation's Schools Address Sexual Violence

Statement by Assistant Secretary Alexa Posny on the Fourth Annual World Autism Awareness Day on Saturday, April 2

Following is a statement by Assistant Secretary Alexa Posny, who heads the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, regarding the fourth annual World Autism Awareness Day designated by the United Nations as Saturday, April 2.

Four States Receive Funding to Turn Around Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that four states will receive funding to turn around their persistently lowest achieving schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program.

U.S. Department of Education Awards More Than $46,000 to Help Chittenden East Supervisory Union Recover From Teen Suicide

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools has awarded Chittenden East Supervisory Union in Chittenden County, Vermont, a $46,484 Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grant to assist with ongoing recovery efforts following the suicide of a 15-year-old male high school student.