Press Releases

Statement from Secretary Duncan on NCES Public School Graduates and Dropouts Report

"The new NCES report is good news. After three decades of stagnation, the on-time graduation rate for high school students in the 2009-10 school year [78.2 percent] is the highest it's been since at least 1974. It's encouraging that the on-time graduation rate is up substantially from four years earlier.

Statement by Secretary Duncan on President's Recommendations and Actions for Reducing Gun Violence

I have been proud to serve President Obama and this administration since day one, but today was one of my proudest days. The actions that the President is taking and proposing to reduce gun violence echo what America's educators say they need to better protect and support students in school and in their communities.

Secretary Duncan Statement on School Shooting in Kern County, CA

"I was deeply troubled to learn today about another episode of gun violence in America's schools– this time at Taft Union High School in Kern County, California.

Education Department Launches 'Pay As You Earn' Student Loan Repayment Plan

The U.S. Department of Education announced today that many borrowers are now able to take advantage of a new repayment plan that could lower their monthly federal student loan bills. The plan, known as Pay As You Earn, caps monthly payments for many recent graduates at an amount that is affordable based on their income.

Secretary Duncan Announces Seventeen 2012 Promise Neighborhoods Winners in School Safety Address at Neval Thomas Elementary School

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced 17 winners of the 2012 Promise Neighborhoods $60 million grant fund during a school safety speech at Neval Thomas Elementary School in Washington, D.C.

All 2012 Investing in Innovation Top Applicants Secure Support from Private Donors

Today the U.S. Department of Education announced all 20 of the highest-rated applicants in the 2012 Investing in Innovation (i3) competition have secured their required private-sector matching funds and have become official i3 grantees.

Education Department Announces Resolution of Civil Rights Investigation of Christina School District in Wilmington, Del.

The U.S. Department of Education announced today the successful resolution of a compliance review at the Christina School District in Wilmington, Del., the largest school system in the state.

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on the Passing of Senator Daniel Inouye

"Senator Inouye understood that education is an investment, not an expense, and he consistently stood up for the students of Hawaii and our nation. After heroically serving in World War II, he completed college and law school with help from the G.I. Bill, leading to a lifetime of public service and a commitment to bipartisanship that I deeply respected."

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on the Newtown, Connecticut, School Shootings

"School shootings are always incomprehensible and horrific tragedies. But words fail to describe today's heartbreaking and savage attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As the father of two children in elementary school, I can barely imagine the anguish and losses suffered today by the Newtown community.

Education Department Announces 16 Winners of Race to the Top-District Competition

Note To Editors: White House Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Muñoz and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will host a press call at 3:30 p.m. ET today, Tuesday, Dec. 11, to discuss this announcement. Members of the press who wish to join the call may dial 888-989-9713 and give the passcode: "District."

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