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May 26, 2011

Five States Receive Funding to Turn Around Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that five states will receive funding to turn around their persistently lowest achieving schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program.
The funds are part of $546 million available to states for the SIG program in fiscal year 2010. In fiscal year 2009, states received a total of $3.5 billion for the SIG program.

May 26, 2011

Department of Education Issues Guidance on Rights of Students With Disabilities When Educational Institutions Use Technology

Today, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued guidance through Dear Colleague Letters to elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education along with a Frequently Asked Questions document on the legal obligation to provide students with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits of technology.

May 26, 2011

President Obama Announces Members of the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his appointment of the following individuals to the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics:

May 25, 2011

U.S. Department of Education Announces $200 Million to Continue State-Led Reforms Under Race to the Top

The U.S. Department of Education announced today that nine finalist states that did not win grants in the first two rounds of Race to the Top (RTT) will be eligible to compete for $200 million in additional funds this year. Applications will be available in the early fall.

May 25, 2011

Obama Administration Announces $500 Million for Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced a new $500 million state-level grant competition, the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge.

May 19, 2011

U.S. Department of Education Establishes Regional Advisory Committees, First Meeting May 23-24 in Arlington, VA

The U.S. Department of Education has established 10 Regional Advisory Committees to collect information on the educational needs across the country. The first of their meetings will take place Monday-Tuesday, May 23-24, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.

May 16, 2011

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan On New York Education Reforms and the Selection of John King as State Chief

Following is a statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on New York's education reforms and the appointment of John King as state education commissioner.

May 12, 2011

Statement from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Illinois Education Bill

"Illinois has done something truly remarkable, and every state committed to education reform should take notice. Business, unions, educators, advocates and elected officials all came together around a plan that puts children ahead of adults and paves the way for meaningful education reform.

May 10, 2011

Booker T. Washington High School Wins Race to the Top Commencement Challenge

Washington — Today, the White House announced Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, Tennessee as the winner of the 2011 Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge. Vice President Joseph Biden called Principal Alisha Kiner today to tell her the school had won.

May 5, 2011

Two States Receive Funding to Turn Around Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools

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

The funds are part of $546 million available to states for the SIG program in fiscal year 2010. In fiscal year 2009, states received a total of $3.5 billion for the SIG program.