Policy Issues


Partnership Releases 21st Century Skills Maps for Science, Geography

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has teamed with the National Science Teachers Association and the National Council for Geographic Education to launch the latest in its series of 21st century roadmaps for core academic subjects, in this case K-12 science and geography.

Obama Administration: Technology at the Heart of Education Reform

"Technology is core and essential to the strategies we are using to reform education,” according to two top Obama administration representatives, who spoke about the importance of technology in education this weekend at a packed meeting of the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA).

13 Groups to Pursue STEM Equity with ED Funding

The United States Department of Education is looking to give girls a boost in science and math. ED revealed this week that it will fund projects from 13 organizations to help high school girls improve their proficiency in STEM subjects.

5 States Developing Green Curriculum

Five states have committed to developing green career and technical education programs, including high school programs designed to lead to careers in green industries.

The Disruption of the Traditional Textbook Model Continues

Texas Governor Rick Perry signed HB 4294 June 19, and the world of textbooks will never be the same in Texas or across the country.

Education Dep't To Fund Overhaul of State Assessments

The United States Department of Education is looking to change the way assessments are done. In a speech Sunday, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said his department will commit up to $350 million to "support states in the creation of rigorous assessments linked to the internationally benchmarked common standards being developed by states."

Duncan: Schools Have an Opportunity To Rethink Education Investments

In a broad-based interview with THE Journal at the United States Department of Education offices June 12, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan stressed the importance of thinking differently about how we invest resources in education. "What [superintendents] do with the new money misses the point. What we really want to do is have folks rethink existing resources as well. And what I would argue in lots of places is that existing resources are not being spent as wisely as they could," he told THE Journal.

SIIA Issues Final Call for Ed Tech Survey

The Software & Information Industry Association this week issued a final call for its 2009 Vision K-20 Survey, part of the SIIA's "Vision K-20" effort toward developing a technology-based educational framework for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.

Partnership for 21st Century Skills Adds 3 States to Membership

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has added three more states to its membership. The group announced Tuesday that Illinois, Louisiana, and Nevada have joined the organization, bringing the total state membership to 13.

Charter School Support Is a Prerequisite for Race to the Top Funds

United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan this week warned states that they'd better be open to charter schools if they want to get a piece of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund. And, what's more, those states that do allow charter but put caps on their growth will need to remove those caps.

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