New Publication:
The Pew Center on the States has published a paper co-authored by Elliot Regenstein of EducationCounsel and Stacie Goffin of the Goffin Strategy Group about state advisory councils and pre-k: "Using Pre-K to Advance Education Reform: Opportunities for State Advisory Councils" Please follow the hyperlink for the complete document.  

Summary:
By strengthening linkages between pre-k programs and education reform agendas, Early Childhood Councils are well positioned to influence their states’ school improvement activities. This brief identifies specific steps Councils can take to maximize their states’ investments in early education including aligning policy prior to and following pre-k.

U.S. Department of Education Headlines

Helping Community College Students Get Back on Their Feet November 1, 2011

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on NAEP Reading and Math 2011 Results November 1, 2011

Arne on the Income-Based Repayment Program and Community Colleges October 31, 2011

Call with Education Grantmakers October 31, 2011

Students at Wake Tech Community College Talk Reform and Jobs October 31, 2011

We Can’t Wait to Help America’s Graduates October 26, 2011

Hope Rises at Philadelphia’s Bodine High School October 26, 2011

Countries Gather to Talk Education Innovation October 25, 2011

We Can't Wait: Obama Administration to Lower Student Loan Payments for Millions of Borrowers October 25, 2011

Kicking Off National GEAR UP Week October 24, 2011

Congressional Headlines

Chairman Kline Discusses President’s Student Loan Plan, House-Passed NLRB Legislation with Wall Street Journal November 1, 2011

Chairman Kline Appears on "Fox and Friends" to Discuss President's Controversial Student Loan Plan October 31, 2011

Ranking Member Enzi Disappointed In President's Partisan Tone on Student Loans October 26, 2011

New Legislation

H.R.3250: Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones College Fire Prevention Act
Sponsor: Rep Fudge, Marcia L. [OH-11] (introduced 10/24/2011)

S.1766: A bill to establish the Honorable Stephanie Tubbs Jones Fire Suppression Demonstration Incentive Program within the Department of Education to promote installation of fire sprinkler systems, or other fire suppression or prevention technologies, in qualified student housing and dormitories, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] (introduced 10/31/2011)

Publications 

The Nation’s Report Card: Findings in Brief Reading and Mathematics 2011 National Center for Education Statistics. November 1, 2011

NAEP Mathematics 2011 State Snapshot Reports National Center for Education Statistics. November 1, 2011

NAEP Reading 2011 State Snapshot Reports National Center for Education Statistics. November 1, 2011

The Nation’s Report Card: Reading 2011 National Center for Education Statistics. November 1, 2011

The Nation’s Report Card: Mathematics 2011 National Center for Education Statistics. November 1, 2011

Statistical Methods for Protecting Personally Identifiable Information in the Disclosure of Graduation Rates of First-Time, Full-Time Degree- or Certificate-Seeking Undergraduate Students by 2-Year Degree-Granting Institutions of Higher Education National Center for Education Statistics. October 25, 2011

Events

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee: Full Committee Hearing - Beyond NCLB: Views on the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act November 2, 2011 at 10:00 am. 106 Dirksen Senate Office Building.