May 2011

U.S. Department of Education Invites Guaranty Agencies to Propose Creative Business Innovations

The U.S. Department of Education is continuing its commitment to helping students and protecting taxpayer dollars with an announcement today that it is accepting proposals from guaranty agencies that participate in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program to enter into Voluntary Flexible Agreements (VFAs) with the Secretary.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Swears in Presidential Advisory Commission Members Tasked with Helping America Out-Educate the Rest of the World

WASHINGTON – U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the Court's first Hispanic justice, swore in more than a dozen newly appointed members of the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics at an official ceremony held last night at the Smithsonian Institution Castle.

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.

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.

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:

• Alicia Abella, Member, President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

Tags:   
• Press Releases
• Educational Excellence for Hispanics

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.