Archive for Reform
Gina Burkhardt responded to New Definition of Asperger’s, Autism for Kids on May 22, 2013 03:20 PM
To Label or Not to Label? The new diagnostic changes to the DSM-5—the first in nearly twenty years—have generated discussion and debate among educators and others. One goal of these changes is to make the diagnostic criteria more specific and less subjective, excluding those who really do not have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A major change is the decision to group Asperger’s Syndrome under the umbrella of ASD. The jury is out on how these changes will affect the treatment and Read more here
Statement from Secretary Duncan on Preventing Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling on July 1
Our priority is to ensure that Congress doesn't allow federal student loan interest rates to double on July 1.
Adult Learners Share Stories of Personal Triumph
The inspiration for Olga Gomez to obtain her GED started with a simple statement from her youngest son: “Mom I challenge you to finish your GED.”
Attaining the GED would be no easy feat for this mother of four who dropped out of school when she was sixteen. Fortunately for Olga, her children stepped up and volunteered to tutor her in preparation for the exam.
Applications Now Available to Improve Education and Employment Outcomes for Low-Income Children with Disabilities
Today, the U.S. Department of Education published a Notice in the Federal Register inviting applications for a new competitive grant program, Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE).
Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on the Tragedy in Oklahoma
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today issued the following statement on the tragic loss of life in Oklahoma:
5 Things to Consider When Taking Out Student Loans
Federal student loans can be a great way to help pay for college or career school. W
New Definition of Asperger’s, Autism for Kids
I will begin with two anecdotes. First, when my bright and chatty 10-year-old was in pre-school, a well-meaning teacher pulled me aside and told me to have him tested for autism because he was engaging in repetitive behavior--writing the same story over and over again--and often seemed aloof. I was worried. I had seen similar behavior at home, but he was always responsive with his family. When he was tested, the diagnosis was a resounding negative. He has learned over time to be more socially aware. Read more here
U.S. Department of Education Announces Arizona Will Receive $10.4 Million to Continue Efforts to Turn Around Its Lowest-Performing Schools
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that Arizona will receive $10.4 million to continue efforts to turn around its persistently lowest-achieving schools through the Department's School Improvement Grants (SIG) program.
Obama Administration Approves Three More NCLB Flexibility Requests—37 States and DC Now Approved for Waivers
The Obama administration today approved three more requests for waivers from No Child Left Behind (NCLB), in exchange for state-developed plans to prepare all students for college and career, focus aid on the neediest students, and support effective teaching and leadership. The approved states include Alaska, Hawaii and West Virginia.
Celebrating the National Language Teacher of the Year and Foreign Language Partnerships
As part of Teacher Appreciation Week, Secretary Arne Duncan recognized Mr. Noah Geisel as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) National Language Teacher of the Year. Mr.
"Passion, Expertise, and Vision"
It's a great pleasure and honor to be with you here today. GPPI is a world-class institution. And I am thrilled to be able to celebrate your success and share a few words with you as you earn your degrees and embark on the next stage of the journeys of the Class of 2013.
Join the Conversation to Improve Transition from School to Work for Youth with Disabilities
Today’s young people must graduate from high school with the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century global economy. And that certainly includes youth with disabilities. To that end, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the U.S.
What Is a Student Loan Servicer and Why Should I Care?
So you took out a federal student loan and now it’s t
The Truth-Teller of Early Learning
I'm delighted to be here, and thrilled to have an opportunity to honor the extraordinary life and career of a dear friend, and one of my heroes, Barbara Bowman.
I don't think anyone here will be surprised that Barbara clearly instructed me not to talk about her this evening.
Technology Gives Students with Disabilities Access to College Courses
Program Coordinator Jennifer Lang-Jolliff (green sw
Student Loan Bonanza
It's the time of year when senioritis sets in, reggae is blaring from dorm room windows, and college-bound students sharpen their pencils to figure out how to pay for the next year of school. This is also the time of year when student financing becomes a political gold mine, as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney found out last year when he hastily backed an effort to keep interest rates from going up. Now the one-year fix that Romney backed is coming to an end. The 3.4 percent interest Read more here
Patricia McGuire responded to Student Loan Bonanza on May 13, 2013 03:52 PM
Student Loans: Springboard or Ratchet? Back in the late 1970’s when I was starting my career as a public interest lawyer, I remember the dread that accompanied each month’s bill from Sallie Mae, who, at that time, was the goddess of all student loans (or so I thought). I think I owed just about $30 per month, but with a public interest lawyer’s starting salary of just $15,000 per year, there were months when making that payment, paying the rent and putting gas in my Read more here
Frederick M. Hess responded to Student Loan Bonanza on May 13, 2013 08:36 AM
People Like Free Stuff I don’t think there’s much mystery here. People like free stuff—especially when a] they’re told they’re entitled to it, b] it’s thought to be good for both the individual and the community, c] it’s described as a “loan” and not a “handout”, and d] it’s paid for by just sticking the tab on the national credit card. Warren’s proposal appeals to students because it disguises enormous Read more here
Celebrating Teachers During this Year’s Teacher Appreciation Week
Today marks the final day of an eventful Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6th
Games Win Big in Education Grants Competition
Cross-posted from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Blog.
U.S. Department of Education Goes "Back to School" as Part of Teacher Appreciation Week
U.S. Department of Education (ED) officials from across the country went "Back to School" today, shadowing teachers across the country.
Departments of Justice and Education Reach Settlement to Address and Prevent Sexual Assault and Harassment of Students at the University of Montana in Missoula
The Department of Justice and the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights obtained a comprehensive resolution agreement today with the University of Montana-Missoula in Missoula, Mont., to ensure that it responds swiftly and effectively to allegations of sexual assault and harassment by students.
Alejandra Ceja Appointed Director of White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
*Editor's Note: A Spanish-language version of this press release is provided below.
Join the Conversation for Change
Members of the public are invited to participate in an online dialogue to examine the impact of existing federal regulations and legislation on the successful transition from school to work of youth and young adults with disabilities. The U.S.
More Substantive and Lasting than a Bagel Breakfast
Great teaching can change a child’s life. That kind of teaching is a remarkable combination of things: art, science, inspiration, talent, gift, and — always — incredibly hard work. It requires relationship building, subject expertise and a deep understanding of the craft. Our celebrated athletes and performers have nothing on our best teachers.
U.S. Department of Education Hosts Google Hangout with African American Educators
Yesterday afternoon, the U.S. Department of Education hosted a Google Hangout—"Celebrating African American Teachers in the Classroom"—at Howard University in Washington, D.C moderated by Tamron Hall of NBC News.
They Don’t Learn It If They Don’t Like You
"Kids don't learn from people they don't like," said Rita Pierson, a teacher and anti-poverty advocate in opening an hour-long television program devoted to major themes in teaching and learning. Her presentation is available on the Web to promote the full program on PBS Tuesday and Thursday.
Pierson's message is that kids need human relationships with teachers in order to learn. She also makes no bones about how difficult it is for an adult to offer that kind of interaction with every...single...child.
"Will Read more here
Renee Moore responded to They Don’t Learn It If They Don’t Like You on May 6, 2013 10:05 AM
I Am Their Friend, Not Their Peer When students say they don’t like a teacher, it most often means they don’t like how the teacher is treating them as persons. Those who do not work with young people may be surprised to learn students also do not like teachers who don’t respect them enough to actually teach them. As I often counsel newer teachers, we should not confuse students “liking” us with their respecting us. Part of my teaching philosophy from the start Read more here
Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6–10, 2013
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issued the following statement today, recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6–10, 2013.
Honoring Veteran Teachers Inducted into the Hall of Fame
Although Teacher Appreciation Week begins today, officials at the Department of Education started celebrating early by honoring the five experienced teachers who were inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame last Friday.
141 Students from Across the Country Named 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars
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141 Students from Across the Country Named 2013 U.S. Presidential Scholars
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the 49th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing 141 high school seniors for their accomplishments in academics or the arts.
Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Recognizing National Public Service Week, May 5–11, 2013
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issued the following statement today, recognizing Public Service Recognition Week, May 5–11, 2013.
Celebrating and Listening to Our Nation’s Teachers
So many of America’s teachers are amazing. Each day, they take on the extraordinary responsibility and highly complex work of moving all students forward. As I visit schools across the country and talk with teachers at the U.S. Department of Education, they astound me continually with what they accomplish every day.
Choosing the Right Battles
Education researchers play an invaluable role in formulating policy, from preschool to grad school, Secretary Arne Duncan told the attendees of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) annual meeting in San Francisco this week where he laid out a vision for where assessment is going, and engaged researchers on the role they play in improving education. “You are the experts.
Remarks of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to the National Head Start Association Conference
It's great to join my good friend Secretary Sebelius again to talk about President Obama's landmark birth-to-age-5 early childhood proposal to provide a seamless continuum of care for our children.
Secretary Sebelius has been an extraordinary advocate for children—and a wonderful partner with ED in our work together on early learning.
2013 Investing in Innovation Competition Continues with Invitation for Scale-Up and Validation Applications
Following the launch of the 2013 Investing in Innovation (i3) Development competition earlier this spring, today the U.S. Department of Education announced the start of the competition for the i3 program's Scale-up and Validation categories.
Coming Home: Pathways to Success for Service Members and Veterans
Cross-posted from Joining Forces.
U.S. Department of Education Awards More Than $48,000 to Help Vermont’s Windham Central Supervisory Union Recover From Teen Suicide
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students has awarded Windham Central Supervisory Union, a regional education service agency, a Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grant totaling more than $48,000.
Rural Teachers Turn to Tech to Support Teaching and Learning
Inside a classroom at Malvern Elementary School in the small town of East Mills, Iowa, four 1st grade students are gathered around a table facing Becky Curtis. She is teaching them to read.
It appears to be a traditional reading intervention class. However, they are not alone.
Choosing the Right Battles: Remarks and a Conversation
I'm going to talk at some length today about some of the current controversies over standardized testing and the purposes of assessment. But I want to preface those remarks by saying how much I value compelling education research. The truth is that today educators and policymakers still have a large unmet need for relevant research.
Finding the Right College For You – Tools & Resources from ED
If you are a high school senior who has yet to decide where you’re going to college this fall, you are most likely not alone. May 1st marks the National College Decision Day where the vast majority of U.S.
