Education Secretary Arne Duncan says that his department is trying to make a positive difference in the way teachers influence the lives of their students. He says his department’s new Race to the Top educational reform competition will allow this to happen. (0:16)
Education Secretary Arne Duncan says the Race to the Top education reform competition is about recognizing excellence in educational improvements in the states. He says teachers “don’t go into education to make a million dollars,” and that the program is intended to highlight those school systems that are making a difference. (0:21)
By Meagan Wiseley, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
Education Secretary Arne Duncan unveiled the final application of nationwide education reform Thursday: a state by state competition for federal dollars in exchange for proof of improvements in a variety of educational categories.
“We will award grants to the states that have led the way in reform and will show the way for the rest of the country to follow,” Duncan said in a statement released Thursday.
The $4.35 billion competition, called Race to the Top, was passed by Congress as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last February.
Aside from the competitive aspect of the program, the amount of the grants awarded will be determined by a state’s population of K-12th grade students. More populous states like California, New York and Texas could earn up to $700 million. Less populated states like New Mexico and Vermont stand to earn up to $75 million.
The program uses a 500 point system to determine the funds each state receives, with teacher and principal effectiveness amounting for 58 points alone.
“Race to the Top is absolutely a competition…We expect the winners to lead the way and blaze a new path for the future of school reform for years, and even decades, to come,” Duncan added.
President of the National Education Association (NEA), Dennis Van Roekel, applauded Duncan for putting the “spotlight on what needs to happen in our classrooms.” However, Van Roekel held some qualms over how teacher and principal effectiveness is measured.
“We are disappointed that the administration continues to focus so heavily on tying students’ test scores to individual teachers,” Van Roekel said, adding that the evaluation “misses the mark.”
By Laura Smith, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service
While Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is certainly pleased over the strides made by many schools, he concedes that more needs to be done to improve education.
During an award ceremony Wednesday honoring Texas’ Aldine Independent School District (ASID), Duncan noted that only seven out 10 public school students finish high school, and that only one in four college students can do college work.
“This simply isn’t just a personal failure. It’s a national failure,” Duncan said.
An additional $100 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds has recently been allocated for education reform.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation awarded the Aldine Independent School District (AISD) from outside Houston the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education. This award is the largest education award in the country, and the school district will receive $1 million in college scholarships.
Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg Ed.D., accepted the award.
Aldine has shown some of the most consistent student achievement gains nationally in the last decade and has been recognized as one of the top five most improved urban American school systems in four of the last six years.
The four finalists were Broward County Public Schools in southern Florida; Gwinnett County Public Schools outside Atlanta; the Long Beach Unified School District in California; and the Socorro Independent School District in Texas. Each finalist will receive $250,000 in college scholarships.
Dr. Bamberg said Aldine is 84% economically disadvantaged, and have watched their college students and college participation numbers decline in the past few years. She said the scholarship is truly the only way students can further their education.
“When you see the conditions that our students live, and understand that they truly do live in poverty in some places, then this doesn’t just represent a scholarship opportunity, it doesn’t just represent four years at school, it represents a future and a complete change of life for that individual student and, in many cases, the family of that student,” Bamberg said.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said excellence is what the Broad Award has always been about. She said the nation’s children success is essential to the success of the U.S.
“Those blessed with the most serve all of us,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi said that while a high school diploma may gain entry into the workforce, but a college degree is a ticket to higher wages, more job security and a brighter future.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan says that colleges should focus more on making sure students leave with degrees. (0:41)
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said today that he is optimistic about Education reform, despite the focus that has been payed to health care reform. (0:17)
Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service
Education Secretary Arne Duncan touched upon the $100 billion that has been provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for education Monday at the Conressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 2009 Public Policy Conference, stating “While the money might not be enough, and money alone is not the answer, it doesn’t hurt to have $100 billion dollars.”
The Secretary added that there are many urgent challenges facing education reform, but that he is optimistic over the future of the U.S. school system.
“We have a tall and ambitious agenda”, said Duncan. “We need to dramatically increase access [to education] and make sure it’s quality access… not just glorified babysitting.”
Secretary Duncan proposed the U.S. invest in early childhood education, adding “It’s the best investment you can make.”
Duncan also suggested the U.S. recognize talent in the education field by rewarding and shining a spotlight on great teachers, mentors and also principals. The Secretary also outlined his goal to cut drop out rates in underserved communities.
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes read to young children as part of the “Read to the Top!” summer initiative at the Department of Education Monday.
U.S Secretary of Education Arne Duncan welcomed Emanuel and Barnes to the initiative, which aims to promote reading amongst young children during the summer vacation from school.
While Emanuel is infamous for his aggressive behavior and vocabulary, the Chief of Staff adopted a more family-friendly tone for Monday’s event, making jokes while reading “Duck For President” that may have gone over the youngsters’ heads.
Following a section of the book that described animals lining up to register to Vote for Duck, Emanuel noted that “It’s obviously not in Chicago.”
“‘Have you seen the other one: Duck Runs For Congress?” Emanuel joked. “It’s really good.”
The Washington Bureau will be covering the following events:
-Remarks by National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers on “Rescuing and Rebuilding the U.S. Economy: A Progress Report”
-An appearance by Education Secretary Arne Duncan, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack at event to read to children.
-A House Financial Services Committee hearing on “Industry Perspectives on the Obama Administration’s Financial Regulatory Reform Proposals.”
-A discussion on “Scholars and Scribes Review the Rulings: The Supreme
Court’s 2008-2009 Term” at the Heritage Foundation.
-A discussion on discussion on “Healthcare Reform: Putting Patients First.”
Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan read to elementary school children as part of the “Read to the Top” summer initiative.
