Press Releases
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.
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.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Visits Randolph Elementary School in Arlington, Va. to Kick Off Teacher Appreciation Day
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Day, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan made a morning visit today to Randolph Elementary School in Arlington, Va. The school day had yet to begin when Duncan surprised the Randolph staff at a Staff Appreciation Breakfast sponsored by the Randolph Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
2011 U.S. Presidential Scholars Announced
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the selection of 141 outstanding high school seniors as the 2011 U.S. Presidential Scholars. The students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. U.S.
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.
