Updates
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing on April 28 regarding reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), specifically related to standards and assessments. The hearing was part of a series of conversations the Committee is holding in an effort to overhaul the ESEA.
Chairman Harkin (D-IA) set the stage for the hearing by commenting on the importance of setting state standards that are aligned with college- and career-readiness, developing a much higher quality set of assessments, including the utilization of technological advances, and ensuring that assessments account for student diversity. Ranking Member Enzi (R-WY) echoed the call for alignment of standards and assessments to better measure student growth, and particularly noted the importance of assisting states in this effort, rather than requiring or coercing them to participate.
To view the full summary, please click here.
To view video and transcripts, click here.
New Legislation
H.R.5165 : To amend title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide grants to State educational agencies in order to provide subgrants to eligible local entities to promote financial education to students in the classroom.
Sponsor: Rep Castle, Michael N. [DE] (introduced 4/28/2010)
H.R.5172 : To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) to authorize competitive grants to train school principals in instructional leadership skills and to promote the incorporation of standards of instructional leadership into State-level principal certification or licensure.
Sponsor: Rep Sarbanes, John P. [MD-3] (introduced 4/28/2010)
H.R.5184 : To amend the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act to include bullying and harassment prevention programs.
S.3277 : A bill to amend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to reserve funds under the programs for payments to the Bureau of Indian Education of the Department of the Interior for Indian children.
Sponsor: Sen Udall, Tom [NM] (introduced 4/28/2010)
S.3281 : A bill to expand student loan forgiveness, to provide loan repayment assistance, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] (introduced 4/29/2010)
U.S. Department of Education Headlines
U.S. Civil Rights Official to Address 28th Annual National Conference of the Magnet Schools of America (April 30, 2010)
U.S. Education Officials to Hold Tribal Consultation in Espanola, N.M. on Monday; Gather Feedback on Education Matters Affecting American Indians (April 30, 2010)
Assistant Deputy Secretary to Discuss Importance of Safe Schools at Anti-Defamation League's Annual Leadership Conference in D.C. (April 30, 2010)
U.S. Department of Education Official to Visit Detroit; Discuss Turning Around Michigan's Lowest-Performing Schools (April 30, 2010)
U.S. Department of Education Opens Competition for Promise Neighborhoods (April 30, 2010)
New York to Receive More Than $308 Million to Turn Around its Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools (April 30, 2010)
Vermont to Receive $8.5 Million to Turn Around its Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools (April 30, 2010)
12 Major Foundations Commit $500 Million to Education Innovation in Concert with U.S. Education Department's $650 Million "Investing In Innovation" Fund (April 29, 2010)
51 Moms Win Trips to D.C. to Represent Their States at Parenting Magazine's Mom Congress on Education, Learning Conference (April 29, 2010)
Treasury and Education Recognize High Scoring Students in National Financial Capability Challenge (April 28, 2010)
Department of Education to Open Exhibit of Art Works from Nine Colorado Public Schools on May 4 in Washington, D.C. (April 28, 2010)
White House Initiative Launches Campaign to Increase Asian American and Pacific Islander Access, Participation in Federal Programs (April 27, 2010)
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joins Hispanic Scholarship Fund Leaders to Announce Parental Engagement National Media Campaign (April 26, 2010)
