Category Archives: P-12 Reform

In State of the Union, Obama Outlines Bold Education Proposals to Grow the Middle Class

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Cameron Brenchley

In a State of the Union address focused on growing a strong middle class, President Obama outlined a series of bold proposals that will increase access to high-quality education. Among them were initiatives to make quality early education accessible to … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Learning, Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Schools and Community, Teachers | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

Duncan to Congress: Giving States Flexibility is Working

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Cameron Brenchley

States and their schools are breaking free from the restrictions of No Child Left Behind and pursuing new and better ways to prepare and protect all students, Education Secretary Arne Duncan told a Senate committee Thursday. In a hearing before … Continue reading →

Posted in ESEA Reauthorization, Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Standards and assessments, Teachers, Teaching Profession | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

How Are Race to the Top States Doing in Year Two?

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Cameron Brenchley

In only two years, the 12 states with Race to the Top grants continue to show improvements in teaching and learning in their schools. Last week, the U.S. Department of Education released state-specific reports for the 12 Race to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Race to the Top | 4 Comments

Department Releases New Publications Highlighting ESEA Flexibility

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Tiffany Taber

With 34 states and the District of Columbia approved for ESEA flexibility, the U.S. Department of Education released a series of new publications this week, describing the flexibility program and the ways in which some participating states are advancing important … Continue reading →

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Kansas Students Weigh in on Education Reform

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Laurie Calvert

A class of freshman and sophomore high school students from Turning Point Academy (Emporia, Kan.) participated in a video teleconference conversation with Department officials this week, to discuss their advice for reforming education in the U.S. Prior to the meeting, … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Students, Teachers | 3 Comments

What is ED’s Stance on Using Testing Data in Teacher Evaluation?

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Guest Blogger

A recent letter to the Department of Education from a teacher in Cincinnati contained a quote that really struck me: “It is not at all that I am afraid of what my test scores might reveal.  I am more concerned … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Race to the Top, Standards and assessments, Teachers, Teaching Profession | Tagged | 10 Comments

On Charter Schools and Swimming Pools: A Changing Tide in School Choice

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Guest Blogger

Summer is a time when I am reminded that the world is divided into two kinds of people:  those who, when confronted with a cold swimming pool, enter one toe at a time and those who dive right in. In … Continue reading →

Posted in News, P-12 Reform, Teachers | Tagged | 4 Comments

Duncan Tells Teachers: Change is Hard

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Cameron Brenchley

Teaching is really hard work, Secretary Duncan told a group of more than 800 teachers this morning in Baltimore County, and the job is becoming more challenging as education reforms take hold in classrooms. The Secretary spoke frankly about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Teachers, Teaching Profession | 23 Comments

Duncan Talks Obama Education Record at Mom Congress

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Cameron Brenchley

What is the proper role of the federal government in education? Secretary Arne Duncan answered this question Monday at Parenting‘s annual Mom Congress in Washington. “Under President Obama’s leadership, our role here in Washington is to support you,” Duncan said. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Learning, Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Parent & Family Engagement, Promise Neighborhoods, Race to the Top, Recovery Act, Success Stories, Turnaround Schools | 6 Comments

We Can’t Wait: 10 States Approved for NCLB Flexibility

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Cameron Brenchley

“We can’t wait,” President Obama said earlier today at a White House event to announce that 10 states have been approved for flexibility in exchange for reform from No Child Left Behind. The ten states approved for flexibility are Colorado, … Continue reading →

Posted in ESEA Reauthorization, Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Standards and assessments, Teachers | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Obama in State of the Union: “America is Back”

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Cameron Brenchley

“Teachers matter,” said President Barack Obama last night during his State of the Union address. “Instead of bashing them, or defending the status quo” he said, let’s offer schools a deal. Give them the resources to keep good teachers on … Continue reading →

Posted in College Completion, Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Schools and Community, Standards and assessments, Teachers, Teaching Profession | Tagged , | 18 Comments

After 10 Years, It’s Time for a New NCLB

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Arne Duncan

The following op-ed appeared in the January 8, 2012 edition of the Washington Post. Ten years ago today, President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind Act. The law has improved American education in some ways, but it also still … Continue reading →

Posted in ESEA Reauthorization, Headlines, News, P-12 Reform, Standards and assessments | Tagged , , | 28 Comments