Press Releases

District-Level Race to the Top to Focus on the Classroom, Provide Tools to Enhance Learning and Serve the Needs of Every Student

The U.S. Department of Education announced today proposed criteria for the 2012 Race to the Top program—a nearly $400 million competition that invites school districts to create plans for individualized classroom instruction aimed at closing achievement gaps and preparing each student for college and career.

Secretaries Duncan and Sebelius Remind Graduating Students of New Health Coverage Options Under Health Care Law

Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius are reaching out to campus leaders to remind graduating high school, college and university seniors about their new health insurance options under the Affordable Care Act – the health care law.

2012 Labor Management Conference to Showcase Local Work on Strengthening Teaching Profession

EDITOR’S NOTE: Updates list of participating school districts, states and presenters.

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today issued the following statement on enactment of Connecticut’s education reform measure, S.B. 458.

U.S. Department of Education Issues Resource Document that Discourages Restraint and Seclusion

Today, the U.S. Department of Education issued a publication that outlines principles for educators, parents and other stakeholders to consider when developing or refining policies and procedures to support positive behavioral interventions and avoid the use of restraint and seclusion.

Louisiana to Receive Over $10 Million to Turn Around Lowest-Performing Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that Louisiana will receive $10.1 million to turn around its persistently lowest-achieving schools through the Education Department's School Improvement Grants (SIG) program.

Education Department Announces $254 Million for Upward Bound Projects to Help About 60,000 Students Access and Succeed in Higher Education

The U.S. Department of Education announced its first set of awards for 780 Upward Bound projects today, which will help close to 60,000 students acquire the knowledge and skills they need to access and succeed in college.

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress Science Assessment, Grade 8

Science test scores are slightly up, and the achievement gap is narrowing, and that’s good news. Today’s results offer encouraging signs that our nation’s eighth graders are improving in science education. And for the first time, all 50 states participated in the science assessment with no states showing a decline in science scores.

Secretary Duncan Makes Surprise Visit to Luke C. Moore High School in Honor of Teacher Appreciation Week

Editor's note: A school in your area is noted in the following release as part of Teacher Appreciation Week events organized by the U.S. Department of Education.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan surprised teachers and staff of D.C.’s Luke C. Moore High School with an unexpected visit this morning during their Teacher Appreciation Week breakfast celebration.

U.S. Department of Education Kicks-Off Teacher Appreciation Week with a National Dialogue on Strengthening and Elevating the Teaching Profession

A vision document for reforming the teaching profession created by active classroom teachers working temporarily for the U.S. Department of Education has been posted for public comment on the Department’s website today as part of Teacher Appreciation Week.