Press Releases

Statement by U.S. Education Secretary Duncan on Draft College- and Career-Readiness Standards in English-Language Arts, Mathematics

The U.S. Department of Education today issued the following statement by U.S.

Secretary Duncan Names 72 Jacob K. Javits Fellows

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today named 72 Jacob K. Javits fellows to pursue graduate study within selected fields of the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Selected from 764 applicants, fellows are chosen on the basis of superior academic achievement, exceptional promise, and financial need. They will attend 28 institutions of higher education.

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on House Passage of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (HR 3221)

“Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to give America's college students the biggest increase in financial aid since the GI Bill. The bill will guarantee increases for the Pell Grant program for the 2010-11 year and beyond. It will overhaul federal student loans to make them more efficient while saving taxpayers billions of dollars over the next decade.

Statement by Secretaries Duncan and Sebelius on House Passage of Early Learning Challenge Fund

Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius praised progress made by Congress today as the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), HR 3221, passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan Designates 314 Schools as 2009 Blue Ribbon Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced 314 schools as 2009 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Secretary Duncan was joined by Maryland State Superintendent Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, Montgomery County Board of Education President Shirley Brandman, and Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Dr.

Student Loan Default Rates Increase

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that the FY 2007 national student loan cohort default rate increased to 6.7 percent, up from the FY 2006 rate of 5.2 percent.

$12.4 Million Awarded to School Systems in 24 States, D.C. to Promote Instruction of Critical Foreign Languages

The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of more than $12.4 million in Foreign Language Assistance Program grants to local and state school systems in 24 states and the District of Columbia, aimed at promoting the instruction of foreign languages critical to national security.

Recovery Act Funds Accelerated to Save Jobs, Drive Reforms in Schools with Students in Greatest Need

Delivering unprecedented resources to states and school districts, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that more than $11 billion is now available to further save jobs and drive reforms.

U.S. Department of Education Closes Out Summer Reading Initiative—"Read to the Top!"—With Record Success

Despite busy schedules and summer heat, a record number of Cabinet members and senior administration officials joined U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for the Department's weekly reading initiative, “Read to the Top!” during June, July and August.

2009 Back-to-School Forecast -- Record Numbers of Students

More students are entering and returning to the nation’s schools and colleges than ever before, according to the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES).

In fact, as America's youth head back to classes, public elementary and secondary schools are preparing to serve a record 50 million students this fall with another 5.8 million attending private schools.