Education

November 7, 2011 -- Identifying next steps that will lead to a rapid implementation of programs that will inspire Iowa’s youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) was the top priority for the day as council co-chairs Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds and University of Northern Iowa (UNI) President Benjamin Allen convened the 40-member Governor’s STEM Advisory Council on October 31 at the Science Center of Iowa in Des Moines.

November 1, 2011 -- MONTGOMERY Alabama Governor Robert Bentley today announced that Alabama leads the nation in reading gains and meets the national average in reading for the first time, according to data released from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP). The report indicates that, since the last national assessment in 2009, Alabama is one of only four states in the nation to show significant gains in 4th grade reading scores.

NAEP also measures math achievement in grades 4 and 8. Alabama is one of only nine states in the country to show significant improvement since 2009 in 4th grade math. Of the nine states, Alabama shows the second highest gain behind Arizona.

November 4, 2011 -- The U.S. Department of Education announced today a proposal to create an Office of Early Learning, tasked with overseeing the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grants and coordinating early learning programs across the Department.

"Effective early learning programs are essential to prepare our children for success in school and beyond," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "A dedicated early learning office will institutionalize, elevate and coordinate federal support for high-quality early learning, while enhancing support for state efforts to build high-performing early education systems."

November 1, 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issued the following statement on The Nation's Report Card: Reading and Mathematics 2011, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) at Grades 4 and 8:

“The modest increases in NAEP scores are reason for concern as much as optimism. While student achievement is up since 2009 in both grades in mathematics and in 8th grade reading, it’s clear that achievement is not accelerating fast enough for our nation’s children to compete in the knowledge economy of the 21st Century. After significant NAEP gains in the 1990s, particularly in mathematics, the 2011 results continue a pattern of modest progress.

November 1, 2011 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issued the following statement on The Nation's Report Card: Reading and Mathematics 2011, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) at Grades 4 and 8:

“The modest increases in NAEP scores are reason for concern as much as optimism. While student achievement is up since 2009 in both grades in mathematics and in 8th grade reading, it’s clear that achievement is not accelerating fast enough for our nation’s children to compete in the knowledge economy of the 21st Century. After significant NAEP gains in the 1990s, particularly in mathematics, the 2011 results continue a pattern of modest progress.

October 20, 2011 -- The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services announced today that 35 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico submitted applications for the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge, a $500 million state-level competitive grant program to improve early learning and development.

Applicants include: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

New Ultra-High Speed Network Connection for Researchers and Educators is 10 Times Faster Than Commercial Internet Providers

October 13, 2011 - Washington, D.C. – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced the activation of an ultra-high speed network connection for scientists, researchers and educators at universities and National Laboratories that is at least ten times faster than commercial Internet providers. The project – funded with $62 million from the 2009 economic stimulus law – is intended for research use but could pave the way for widespread commercial use of similar technology.

October 14, 2011 -- According to a new report released by the Council of the Great City Schools, 77 percent of major city school systems need funds for repairs, renovations, modernization and new construction to meet 21st century educational needs. The report, “Facility Needs and Costs in America's Great City Schools (www.cgcs.org under “What's New”),” states that the total facilities needs in 50 major city public school districts amount to more than $61 billion.

September 16, 2011 -- WASHINGTON— Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton today announced a new initiative to streamline the international student visa process for foreign students seeking to study in the United States. The Study in the States initiative is a key component of a government-wide effort to encourage the best and brightest foreign students to study and remain in the U.S.

Responding to President’s Call to Action, Key Effort by Leaders in Industry and Universities to Transform Learning Technology

September 16, 2011 -- Today, the White House and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the launch of “Digital Promise,” a new national center created by Congress with bipartisan support to advance technologies to transform teaching and learning. Digital Promise will receive startup funds from the Department of Education as well as the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. It will be overseen by board made up of prominent leaders in education and technology appointed by Secretary Duncan based on recommendations from the House of Representatives and United States Senate.