EducationCounsel E–Updates

May 1, 2009

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Update

This week, the House Committee on Education and Labor met to discuss how states can better prepare their students to compete in a global economy by using internationally benchmarked, state developed, common standards. Witnesses included former North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt Jr.; Arkansas Commissioner of Education, Ken James; Chair of the California Business for Excellence in Education, Greg Jones; Co-Founder of Knowledge is Power, Dave Levin; and President of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten (For more information and to view witness testimony, click here).

Next week, the House Committee on Education and Labor will hold hearings to discuss preparedness against the flu at school and work, as well as the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act (For more information, click here).

On May 7th, the Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor and Pensions will hold hearings to discuss nominations under consideration by the committee (For more information, click here).

Federal Register Announcements

Overview Information; Office of Postsecondary Education;
Predominantly Black Institutions Program; Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009.

Notice Inviting Applications for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009;
Office of Postsecondary Education; Overview Information; Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, FIPSE--Special Focus Competition: The U.S.-Russia Program: Improving Research and Educational Activities in Higher Education.

Notice announcing application deadline; Department of Education; Office of Elementary & Secondary Education; Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; Small, Rural School Achievement Program.

New Legislation

H.R.2060: To provide grants to community colleges to improve the accessibility of computer labs and to provide information technology training for both students and members of the public seeking to improve their computer literacy and information technology skills. Sponsor: Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] (introduced 4/23/2009).

H.R.2081: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a partnership between the Department of Education and the National Park Service to provide educational opportunities for students and teachers.
Sponsor: Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] (introduced 4/23/2009).

H.R.2089/S.892: To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to educational organizations to carry out educational programs about the Holocaust.
Sponsor: Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] / Sen. Menendez, Robert [NJ] (introduced 4/23/2009).

U.S. Department of Education Headlines

Release of the Department of Education Progress Report. Click here.

Statement from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Regarding Flu and Its Impact on Schools. Click here.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan issues statement on 2008 National Assessment of Educational Progress Trend Report. Click here.

More Than $321 Million in Recovery Funds Now Available for Mississippi to Save Jobs and Drive Reform. Click here.

More Than $547 Million in Recovery Funds Now Available for Minnesota to Save Jobs and Drive Reform. Click here.

$382 Million in Recovery Funds Now Available for Oregon to Save Jobs and Drive Reform. Click here.

More Than $321 Million in Recovery Funds Now Available for Utah to Save Jobs and Drive Reform. Click here.

Nearly $130 Million in Recovery Funds Now Available for Maine to Save Jobs and Drive Reform. Click here.

Publications

Thomas B. Fordham Institute: Growing Pains in the Advanced Placement Program: Do Tough Trade-Offs Lie Ahead? (April 2009)

National Center for Education Statistics: The Nation's Report Card: Long-Term Trend 2008 (April 2009)

National Center for Education Statistics: New Indicators of Career/Technical Education Coursetaking: Class of 2005 (April 2009)