Updates

The Department of Education issued guidance last week to support educators in combating bullying in schools by clarifying when student bullying may violate federal education anti-discrimination laws. The White House and Department of Education also announced next steps to address bullying and harassment in schools. Following the release of the guidance, the Department plans to hold technical assistance workshops around the country in early 2011 to help educators better understand their obligations and the resources available to take prompt and effective steps that will end harassment and bullying in schools and on college campuses.

For more information, please click here to visit the Department of Education's website.

Last week, the Access & Diversity Collaborative, a project of the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, released a new publication entitled A Diversity Action Blueprint. In keeping with the goals of the Access & Diversity Collaborative, A Diversity Action Blueprint provides higher education officials with materials that can help guide the development of policies designed to advance institutional access and diversity goals.

To view the full report, click here.

U.S. Department of Education Headlines

Department of Education Establishes New Student Aid Rules to Protect Borrowers and Taxpayers (October 28, 2010)

Guidance Targeting Harassment Outlines Local and Federal Responsibility (October 26, 2010)

Congressional Headlines

Chairman Miller Statement on Annual College Board Trends Survey (October 28, 2010)

Federal Register

School Improvement Grants; American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA); Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as Amended (ESEA); Final requirements for School Improvement Grants authorized under section 1003(g) of Title I of the ESEA. (October 28, 2010)

Department of Education; Office of Postsecondary Education and Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; High School Equivalency Program and College Assistance Migrant Program, The Federal TRIO Programs, and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program; 34 CFR Parts 206, 642, 643, 644, 645, 646, 647, and 694; Final regulations. (October 26, 2010)

Publications

The National Academies. Getting More Accurate Dropout and Graduation Rates (October 28, 2010)

Institute of Education Sciences. Data File: Common Core of Data Local Education Agency Universe Survey Dropout and Completion Restricted-Use: School Year 2007-08 (October 27, 2010)

Institute of Education Sciences. Access to Educational and Community Activities for Young Children with Disabilities (October 27, 2010)

Institute of Education Sciences. Web Tables—Student Financing of Graduate and First-Professional Education: 2007–08 (October 26, 2010)

Institute of Education Sciences. Data File: Common Core of Data Local Education Agency Universe Survey Dropout and Completion Public-Use: School Year 2007-08 (October 26, 2010)

Institute of Education Sciences.  Precision Gains from Publically Available School Proficiency Measures Compared to Study-Collected Test Scores in Education Cluster-Randomized Trials (October 26, 2010)