Education

August 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that approximately 700 school districts and charter schools across the State will receive more than $900 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding, administered by the New York State Education Department, will be used to support school improvement efforts that address both teaching and learning. The grants have been allocated to most school districts, particularly those in low-income communities where the need is great.    » read more »

Washington, DC, July 17, 2009 -- Pre-K Now, a campaign of the Pew Center on the States, applauded the promise this week by House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller to act on a legislative package containing a $10 billion, 10-year investment to strengthen state early learning programs, including pre-kindergarten. The proposal, if enacted, would fulfill a pledge by President Obama and arrives at a critical juncture for state leaders working diligently to protect early education funding.    » read more »

Income-based repayment available starting July 1

July 1, 2009 -- Starting July 1, a new repayment option is available that makes monthly payments more affordable for Americans with heavy federal student loan burdens. The new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan protects borrowers by linking payments to income and family size. A related new program offers additional benefits to those working in public service jobs.

"We know many graduates are concerned about their ability to repay student loans in the current economic environment," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "This new plan addresses the issue head on by giving them the option of a monthly payment tied to their income."    » read more »

Passage of the DREAM Act will allow next generation of leaders to achieve their own American dream

June 23, 2009 -- Washington, DC --Today, with the U.S. Capitol's Statue of Freedom reaching to the sky behind them, more than 500 students from across the country took part in a symbolic graduation ceremony to urge Congress to support our nation's future leaders by passing the DREAM Act. The National DREAM Graduation ceremony was hosted by labor organizations like SEIU, education, faith, business, immigrant and civil rights groups through the United We Dream Coalition.    » read more »

Legislation expands grants for families of soldiers killed in action and helps students who have defaulted on their student loans

June 23, 2009 -- Washington, D.C.—The House today unanimously approved legislation that expands grants for survivors of veterans killed in action and reduces credit problems by enabling the Department of Education to purchase rehabilitated loans from guaranty agencies. The bill, H.R. 1777, passed unanimously by the Senate this morning, also includes a number of technical amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965.    » read more »

June 23, 2009 -- Washington – Senators Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan and Congressman Earl Pomeroy announced today that North Dakota will receive more than $70 million in federal funding to give a boost to schools across the state that are at risk of teacher shortages and budget cuts.

“These funds will enable our schools to attract the best teachers and keep them on staff to ensure that North Dakota’s children continue to receive the quality education they need and deserve,” the delegation said.    » read more »

Urges Adequate State Education Funding To Avoid Drastic Local Property Tax Hikes

June 23, 2009 --
LANCASTER – Pennsylvania’s next state budget must adequately invest in education in order to avoid drastic local property tax increases, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today during a visit to a Fulton Elementary School in Lancaster.

The Governor cautioned that a budget plan offered and approved by Senate Republicans would force school districts to hike property taxes and cut programs, ultimately putting Pennsylvania $1.2 billion behind the goals established in law last year as part of a six-year school funding formula.    » read more »

June 23, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – The Maine Department of Education is issuing almost $24 million of federal Recovery Act funds to school systems this week and next – the first of three waves of State Fiscal Stabilization Funds included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will be sent to school districts. The funds replenish the curtailment in State funds that went into effect in January as a result of the global recession and a significant drop in State revenues.    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- The U.S. Department of Education and its National Research Center for Career and Technical Education (NRCCTE) in Louisville, Ky., announced today the selection of five states to receive technical assistance from the center in developing green-focused "programs of study" in career and technical education.

The states are: Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Oregon.

"Green means healthier learning environments for students and adults, plus lower energy costs and a stronger economy," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "Green programs of study support the administration's goal of expanding a green workforce by preparing students for high-skill, high-wage jobs in a clean energy economy."    » read more »

June 22, 2009 -- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today called on charter school leaders to become active players in the national effort to turn around low-performing schools and to take aggressive actions to ensure their schools are held accountable for student results.

“We need everyone who cares about public education to take on the toughest assignment of all – and get in the business of turning around our lowest-performing schools: that includes states, districts, nonprofits, unions and charter organizations,” Duncan said in a speech to the National Charter School Conference in Washington, DC.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of Nebraska’s State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

June 22, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced more than $191 million is now available for Nebraska under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Nebraska will be eligible to apply for another $94 million this fall.

Today’s funding is being made available per Nebraska’s successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of North Dakota’s State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

June 22, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $70 million is now available for North Dakota under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. North Dakota will be eligible to apply for another $34.6 million this fall.

Today’s funding is being made available per North Dakota’s successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of New Hampshire’s State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

June 22, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced more than $134.5 million is now available for New Hampshire under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. New Hampshire will be eligible to apply for another $66 million this fall.

Today’s funding is being made available per New Hampshire’s successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of New Mexico’s State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

June 22, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $213 million is now available for New Mexico under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. New Mexico will be eligible to apply for another $105 million this fall.

Today’s funding is being made available per New Mexico’s successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of Alaska’s State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

June 22, 2009 -- U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $76 million is now available for Alaska under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. Alaska will be eligible to apply for another $37.5 million this fall.

Today’s funding is being made available per Alaska’s successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available on April 1st.    » read more »