March 2011

White House Initiative Calls Upon AAPI Youth to Become Teachers

WASHINGTON -- The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders issued a call to action today encouraging AAPI community members to consider making a difference in the lives of children by becoming teachers. As the baby boomer generation retires, the U.S. anticipates losing more than a million teachers. Today, AAPIs make up less than 1 percent of all teachers.

U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Reach Settlement With Arizona Department Of Education To Ensure That Potential ELL Students Are Properly Identified

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.

Chicago Public Schools Art Exhibit Opens at U.S. Department of Education in Washington

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan acknowledged Chicago Public School (CPS) students at an exhibit opening of their artwork hosted in the Department’s auditorium with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning. He was joined by CPS Director of Humanities Paul Whitsitt and several other CPS administrators and teachers, as well as 16 Chicago high school students visiting Washington D.C.

Office for Civil Rights Office to Present Outreach Sessions on Students with Diabetes

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights in Dallas will conduct free technical assistance presentations Friday and Saturday regarding students with diabetes who attend public elementary and secondary schools in Texas. The presentations will be made at the University of North Texas-Dallas Campus located at 7400 University Hills Blvd.

President Obama Highlights Favorite Teacher in 'Teach' Campaign PSA

Today, the Department of Education released a public service announcement (PSA) by President Obama illustrating his support of the TEACH initiative. The President and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan launched TEACH last September as a national initiative aimed at recruiting the next generation of amazing teachers.

Vice President Biden Issues Call to Action to Boost College Graduation Rates Nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Vice President Joe Biden today issued a call to action to boost college graduation rates across the country and help the nation meet President Obama’s goal for the United States to have the best-educated workforce and the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020.

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.

Sixteen Countries and Regions Convened for First-Ever International Summit on the Teaching Profession to Promote Building, Developing and Sustaining World Class Teaching Force

Today the U.S. Department of Education completed its two-day International Summit on the Teaching Profession in New York City, N.Y. The event marked the first time education ministers, teachers and union leaders from around the world convened in the United States to discuss best practices in building a world-class teaching force.

Secretary Duncan Vows to 'Move Away' from the 2 Percent Rule in Assessing Students with Disabilities

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan vowed Tuesday to abolish the so-called "2 percent rule" that obscures an accurate portrait of the academic needs of America's students with disabilities.

U.S. Department of Education Issues Guidance on Public School Attendance Policies and Children of Military Families

As part of the Obama administration's efforts to support military families, the U.S. Department of Education has issued guidance to superintendents and chief state school officers regarding public school attendance policies and children of military-connected families.

U.S. Department of Education Awards Almost $50,000 to Help Millard Public Schools Recover From Tragic Shooting and Teen Suicide

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools has awarded Millard Public Schools in Omaha, Neb., an almost $50,000 Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grant to assist with ongoing recovery efforts following the shooting of an assistant principal at Millard South High School and the subsequent suicide of the student who shot him.

President and First Lady Call for a United Effort to Address Bullying

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the President and First Lady called for a united effort to address bullying at the White House Conference on Bullying Prevention. Approximately 150 students, parents, teachers, non-profit leaders, advocates, and policymakers came together to discuss how they can work together to make our schools and communities safe for all students.

U.S. Secretary of Education Announces Priorities for Promise Neighborhoods Grants

Washington — U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed priorities for the Promise Neighborhoods program. The competitive grants provide funds to design comprehensive approaches for addressing the education and developmental needs of children in distressed, high-poverty communities.

Duncan Says 82 Percent of America's Schools Could "Fail" Under NCLB This Year

Education Secretary Arne Duncan told Congress today that his department estimates that 82 percent of America's schools could fail to meet education goals set by No Child Left Behind this year. Duncan urged Congress to fix the law before the next school year begins so that the schools and students most at risk get the help they need.

Obama Administration Announces Start of Student Exam Window for 2011 National Financial Capability Challenge

Today, high school-aged students across the country will begin taking a voluntary online exam as part of the 2011 National Financial Capability Challenge. The Challenge is designed to enhance the financial capability of high school-aged youth across the United States by strengthening their knowledge of the basics of saving, budgeting, and investing.

Statement by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Early Learning Bill Introduced by Sen. Bob Casey

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today issued the following statement regarding the Supporting State Systems of Early Learning Act introduced by Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania:

Department of Education Provides Promising Practices for Productivity, Flexibility

To help states address unprecedented budget pressures, the U.S. Department of Education today released promising practices to state leaders about how to spend education dollars productively and highlighting flexibility available for spending federal funds.

First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Work with Education Stakeholders to Increase Participation in the HealthierUS School Challenge and Advance Goals of First Lady’s Let’s Move! Initiative

First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack spoke to education stakeholders on a conference call today to discuss advancing the Let’s Move! initiative goal of doubling the number of schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) HealthierUS School Challenge Program.