September 2011

Education Department Awards Nearly $2.9 Million to Colleges and Universities to Strengthen Minority Participation in STEM-Related Fields

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that 12 colleges and universities that serve large minority populations will receive $2,898,578 in grants to strengthen education programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Department Awards $3.95 Million in Grants to Support Institutions Serving Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders

The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of $3.95 million to support colleges and universities serving Asian Americans and Native American Pacific Islanders through the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program.

U.S. Department of Education Awards 13 Grants Totaling $4.8 Million to Support Strengthening Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions

The U.S. Department of Education announced today 13 grant awards totaling $4.8 million to support Strengthening Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions. The grants will enable recipients to better serve Native Americans and low-income individuals by increasing the grantees' ability to improve their academic programs, institutional management, and fiscal stability.

U.S. Department of Education Awards $24.6 Million to Enhance Predominantly Black Institutions

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the award of $24,601,758 to 62 colleges to enhance their capacity to serve low and middle-income African American students.

Education Department Proposes Reforms to Improve Teacher Preparation Programs and Better Prepare Educators for Classroom Success

Note to Editors: There will be a press call today to discuss this announcement at 1:45 p.m. ET. Members of the press may join by dialing 877-950-3597 and giving the passcode: "teachers."

Today, the U.S.

New GEAR UP Grants Awarded to Help More Than 275,000 Middle-Schoolers Get on the Pathway for Success in College

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the award of $ 177.4 million for 66 grants under Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) that will help some 275,000 at-risk students to prepare for college and receive the support they need to achieve success in postsecondary education.

Education Department Awards $11.5 Million in Grants for Training of Special Educators to Improve Services for Children with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education announced today $11.5 million in grants to help train educators to improve services and results for children with disabilities.

Duncan Announces Plans for Green Ribbon Schools Award

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today invited states to take part in the inaugural year of the Green Ribbon Schools program, which will recognize schools for reducing environmental impact on their communities, promoting healthy school environments for their own students and staff, and offering high-quality environmental education.

U.S. Department of Education Awards More Than $35 Million to Local Education Agencies and Community-Based Organizations for Physical and Nutrition Education

Today, the U.S. Department of Education awarded 76 grants totaling more than $35 million to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations that plan to implement comprehensive, integrated physical activity and nutrition programs for their students through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP).

$7.7 Million in Grants Awarded to Eight States to Improve Training Systems to Help Students with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of $7.7 million in grants to eight states to improve training systems to help students with disabilities. The winning states are: Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wyoming.

U.S. Department of Education Announces Grants for $25 Million to Charter School Management Organizations

The U.S. Department of Education announced today charter school grants totaling $25 million to replicate and expand high-quality charter schools that have demonstrated success. Today's grants will serve nearly 45,000 students in 124 new and 3 expanded charter schools over the next five years.

U.S. Education Department Awards 34 Grants to Strengthen Postsecondary Institutions, Build College Completion Culture

The U.S. Department of Education awarded more than $12.9 million today to a total of 34 colleges and universities as part of the new set of Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grantees.

Significant Pay Gap for Teachers in Schools Serving More Latino and African-American Students, According to New U.S. Department of Education Data

WASHINGTON – The Department of Education today released new data showing that in school districts around the country, teachers at schools with more Latino and African American enrollment are paid $2,500 less on average than teachers in the district as a whole.

U.S. Department of Education Awards $15.2 Million in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Grants

The U.S. Department of Education awarded $15.2 million to 43 schools districts in 19 states across the country to establish or expand counseling programs. Grantees will use funds to support counseling programs in target elementary or secondary schools.

$107.4 Million Awarded to More Than 100 Schools That Focus on Serving Latino Students

More than 100 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) will receive a total of $107.4 million to strengthen and expand educational opportunities for Latino students, the U.S. Department of Education announced today.

Obama Administration Awards Nearly $500 Million in First Round of Grants to Community Colleges for Job Training and Workforce Development

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter today announced nearly $500 million in grants to community colleges around the country for targeted training and workforce development to help economically dislocated workers who are changing careers.

Obama Administration Sets High Bar for Flexibility from No Child Left Behind in Order to Advance Equity and Support Reform

Washington — In an effort to support local and state education reform across America, the White House today outlined how states can get relief from provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act—or No Child Left Behind (NCLB)—in exchange for serious state-led efforts to close achievement gaps, promote rigorous accountability, and ensure that all student

U.S. Department of Education Awards Nearly $13 Million for Transition to Teaching Grants

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded $12.8 million for 30 teacher training projects through the Transition to Teaching Program. The program supports efforts to recruit mid-career professionals and recent graduates with degrees outside of education and then help these recruits become teachers through alternative certification routes.

Federal Partners Celebrate Anti-Bullying Efforts and Pledge to Continue Work at Second Annual Bullying Prevention Summit

Federal partners joined together today for the second annual Bullying Prevention Summit, a two-day event hosted by the U.S. Department of Education in partnership with eight other federal agencies that make up the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Steering Committee.

President Obama to Deliver Remarks at the White House on NCLB Reform

WASHINGTON – On Friday, September 23, the President will deliver remarks at the White House on the need to provide states with relief from key provisions of No Child Left Behind.

More details, including media credentialing information, will be released as they become available.

White House to Launch “Digital Promise” Initiative

Today, the White House and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the launch of “Digital Promise,” a new national center created by Congress with bipartisan support to advance technologies to transform teaching and learning.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Recognizes 305 Schools as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools

The U.S. Department of Education today named 305 schools as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence or for their success in closing achievement gaps. The Department will honor the entire 256 public and 49 private schools with their National Blue Ribbon School awards at a conference and awards ceremony Nov. 14-15 in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of Education Awards 42 Grants Totaling $14.8 Million to Support Teacher Training and Improve Classroom Instruction for English Learners

The U.S. Department of Education announced today the award of 42 National Professional Development program grants totaling $14.8 million to support professional development activities designed to improve classroom instruction for English Learners (ELs).

Default Rates Rise for Federal Student Loans

The U.S. Department of Education today released the official FY 2009 national student loan cohort default rate, which has risen to 8.8 percent, up from 7.0 percent in FY 2008.

$180 Million Awarded to Six States for Comprehensive Literacy Program Aimed at Children, Birth-Grade 12

More than $180 million in grants were awarded to six states through the Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Program, which helps states pursue a comprehensive approach to improving literacy outcomes for all children -- birth through grade 12, including limited-English-proficient students and students with disabilities. Thirty-five states applied for the funding.

U.S. Education Secretary Encourages Students to “Let’s Move!” And Stay Fit during Stop in Richmond, Va., as Part of 2012 Cross-Country Back-to-School Bus Tour Promoting Education

As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s third annual back-to-school bus tour, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will visit Henderson Middle School in Richmond, Va., on Friday, Sept. 21, to highlight First Lady Michelle Obama’s “ Let’s Move!” campaign that focuses on confronting and ending childhood obesity.

U.S. Department of Education Releases Proposed Requirements for Race to the Top Round Three

The U.S. Department of Education released today the proposed requirements for Race to the Top round three (RTT3), a $200 million grant fund to continue State-led K-12 reform.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to Culminate 2012 Cross-Country Back-to-School Bus Tour with Rally at Department of Education Headquarters

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and senior staff at the Department of Education will wrap up the 2012 back-to-school bus tour with a rally on Friday, Sept. 21 on the plaza at the Department's headquarters building in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to Visit Roanoke, Va., Release Adult College Completion Toolkit, as Part of 2012 Cross-Country Back-to-School Bus Tour Promoting Education

As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s third annual back-to-school bus tour, on Friday, Sept. 21, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will lead a town hall discussion that will explore indicators of college and career readiness at Virginia Western Community College (VWCC) in Roanoke, Va.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to Visit Charleston and McDowell County, W.Va., as Part of 2012 Cross-Country Back-to-School Bus Tour Promoting Education

As part of the U.S. Department of Education’s third annual back-to-school bus tour, on Thursday, Sept. 20, U.S.