March 30, 2012: Nine States Receive Funding to Turn Around Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that nine states will receive funding to turn around their persistently lowest achieving schools through the School Improvement Grants (SIG) program.
March 29, 2012: Vice President Biden, Secretary Duncan to Travel to Norfolk to Discuss College Affordability: On Tuesday, April 3rd 2012, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will travel to Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia to discuss college affordability.
March 28, 2012: First Lady Michelle Obama to Address 2012 Graduating Seniors: This year, First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver commencement addresses at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina A&T), and Oregon State University (OSU).
March 27, 2012: 2012 Funds Now Available for Third Round of Investing in Innovation (i3) Scale-up and Validation Grants: The U.S. Department of Education released today the 2012 notice inviting applications for new “Scale-up” and “Validation” grants available through the Investing in Innovation (i3) fund.
March 15, 2012: Second International Summit Spotlights Examples for Improving School Leader and Teacher Preparation and Development: Education leaders from 23 high-performing and rapidly-improving countries and regions worldwide convened in New York City yesterday and today, at the second International Summit on the Teaching Profession, to share common challenges and best practices for training and supporting teachers and school leaders.
March 13, 2012: Obama Administration Challenges Students, Teachers and Parents to Tackle Financial Literacy: High school-aged students from across the country can test their knowledge about personal finance through the National Financial Capability Challenge and earn a chance to be recognized by the Obama Administration.
March 13, 2012: Education Department Launches New Data Tool to Help High School Officials Increase FAFSA Completion and College Accessibility: The U.S. Department of Education has released a new tool that will help high school counselors and school leaders by giving them a resource to monitor FAFSA completions and better help students access higher education.
March 13, 2012: U.S. Department of Education Awards more than $54 Million in Charter School Grants to States to Increase Public School Options: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the award of three charter school grants, totaling $54.8 million, to increase public school options in Minnesota, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
March 12, 2012: Colleges Awarded Presidential Honor for Community Service: The Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education today honored the nation's leading colleges and universities, students, and faculty members, and staff for their commitment to bettering their communities through community service and service learning.
March 7, 2012: Statement from U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on the Passing of Congressman Donald Payne: "I was saddened to learn yesterday about the passing of Congressman Donald Payne. I deeply appreciated all of Don's hard work on the education committee and his lifelong commitment, not only to his own community, but to communities in need abroad. Don's legacy will be his dedication to lifting up others, and he will be deeply and sincerely missed.
March 7, 2012: Education Department Awards $24.6 Million in Grants To Support Teacher and Principal Development: U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan today announced the award of nearly $24.6 million for three grants to improve student achievement by increasing the effectiveness of teachers and principals. Funded under the Supporting Effective Educators Development (SEED) program, projects are awarded to the National Writing Project, New Teacher Center, and Teach for America.
March 6, 2012: New Data from U.S. Department of Education Highlights Educational Inequities Around Teacher Experience, Discipline and High School Rigor: Minority students across America face harsher discipline, have less access to rigorous high school curricula, and are more often taught by lower-paid and less experienced teachers, according to the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
March 5, 2012: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Now Taking Private Student Loan Complaints: Washington, D.C. — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is now accepting complaints from borrowers having difficulties with their private student loans.
March 2, 2012: Department Announces New Effort to Strengthen Accountability for Students with Disabilities: Today, the Department of Education announced new steps to help close the achievement gap for students with disabilities by moving away from a one-size-fits-all, compliance-focused approach to a more balanced system that looks at how well students are being educated in addition to continued efforts to protect their rights.