A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Table of Contents State of Hispanic Education and Challenges of a New Century Smaller Learning Communities Student Guide to Financial Aid College Opportunities On-Line Help Bridge the Digital Divide Web-Based Commission Website Teachers Discuss Technology, Other Issues Online Math and Science Challenge Online for 8th Graders Teleconference on Total Quality Management and Baldrige Criteria Education Research and Promising Practices on the Web Guided Tour of Department's Website New Online Credits

State of Hispanic Education and Challenges of a New Century Last week, Secretary Riley spoke at Bell Multicultural High School in Washington, D.C. on "The Progress of Hispanic Education and the Challenges of a New Century." The speech -- as well as a report, "Transforming Education for Hispanic Youth: Exemplary Practices, Programs, and Schools," and other resources -- can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/Speeches/03-2000/000315.html

Smaller Learning Communities Regional workshops are being offered on the Smaller Learning Communities Program. This new program offers $45 million in competitive grants to help school districts plan, develop, implement, or expand smaller, more personal "learning communities" (600 students maximum) in large high schools (1,000 students or more). Strategies supported under the program may include, but are not limited to, the creation of... small learning clusters, career academies, magnet schools, or other approaches to creating schools-within- schools; block scheduling; personal adult advocates, teacher-advisory systems, and other mentoring strategies; and reduced teaching loads. The workshops will provide superintendents and other district educators a chance to learn from researchers, experts, and practitioners experienced in developing smaller learning communities. Places and dates include... New York City on March 23; Los Angeles on March 29; Houston on March 30; Albuquerque on March 31; Chicago on April 4; and Wausau (WI) on April 26. To ensure availability of space, please pre-register (online) for the sessions at http://www.dtiassociates.com/smallschools For details, please see: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OVAE/HS/SLCP/

Student Guide to Financial Aid "The Student Guide" to financial aid (for 2000-2001), now online, describes the Department's student financial aid programs and how to apply for them. This is the most comprehensive resource on the 3 forms of Department aid -- grants, loans, and work-study -- to help students attend postsecondary education. About two-thirds of all student financial aid comes from these programs. http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/

College Opportunities On-Line Students who are exploring college or career training can now compare programs, costs, and academic requirements at more than 9,000 postsecondary schools at the click of a mouse. The College Opportunities On-Line (COOL) website offers information not available on most commercial sites, including... data for more than 9,000 public, private, 2- and 4-year colleges, universities, and career schools (most sites cover only about 3,000 of the better-known institutions) 3 years of college cost information, rather than the single year found on most sites details on degrees awarded, enrollment, and student demographics official data reported to the federal government, especially for federal student aid programs. At a press conference today, Secretary Riley said COOL "can help students become better consumers when choosing the college or training program that's right for them." The Secretary also credited U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (CT) for his leadership in establishing the website as part of the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. COOL was created and is managed by the Department's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool

Help Bridge the Digital Divide This month the President issued a "call to action" asking organizations, businesses, educators, and others to sign on to support the Administration's initiatives to bridge the digital divide. The sign-on sheet and description of this effort can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/Technology/dunn-form.html

Web-Based Commission Website The Congressional Web-Based Education Commission launched its website this month. The Commission was established in the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to help America's policymakers ensure that all learners are able to take full advantage of the educational promise of the web. The Commission will report its findings and recommendations to the President and the Congress in November 2000. http://www.ed.gov/offices/AC/WBEC/FinalReport/

Teachers Discuss Technology, Other Issues Online What do teachers really think about technology? Find out at Teachers Discuss, an online forum that features teachers' views on a range of issues. Whether you're an educator, policymaker, or citizen, you are invited to read what teachers are saying and post your own views and experiences. http://wdcrowdcrobcolp01.ed.gov:8000/Teachers/

Math and Science Challenge Online for 8th Graders 8th graders can now compare their performance in math and science to that of their peers worldwide, using an interactive web site that presents a version of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Developed by the Council on Competitiveness, the Internet Learning Network web site is in its "beta" phase. Feedback for improving the site and guiding its development is requested (using forms at the site). http://www.getsmarter.org

Teleconference on Total Quality Management and Baldrige Criteria How can schools, districts, and states use Total Quality Management (TQM) and Baldrige "Education Criteria for Performance Excellence" to improve student learning? That's the focus of a teleconference on April 13 at 1:00 ET sponsored by the National Education Goals Panel (NEGP) in cooperation with the Baldrige in Education Initiative. The teleconference, "Creating a Framework for High Achieving Schools," will be led by NEGP Chairman Governor Tommy Thompson (WI) and will showcase successful schools, districts, and initiatives in Florida, Indiana, Maine, North Carolina, and Texas. Principals and teachers, superintendents and chief state school officers, and students will talk about how they have used Baldrige criteria and improved academic achievement. The teleconference will introduce you to TQM principles and the Baldrige criteria for education; describe the benefits of TQM in education; illustrate specific examples of the benefits at a state, district, school and classroom level; help you use these practices in your own community; and identify resources that can help you adopt these practices. The teleconference will be followed by 4 regional field hearings -- in Los Angeles, Burlington (VT), Atlanta, and Chicago -- to examine 4 issues: helping minority and urban students reach high standards, teacher quality and professional development, the structure of schools, and using data and reporting of results to bring all students to high standards. A second teleconference will synthesize and disseminate what was learned through the field hearings. For more information, please see http://www.negp.gov If you are interested in attending or hosting a downlink site, please call or email Burt Glassman at (202) 724-0078 or burt.glassman@ed.gov For information about the Baldrige award in education, please see: http://www.quality.nist.gov/index.html

Education Research and Promising Practices on the Web Three new web resources on education research and promising practices are now available: The Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) unveiled its overhauled website last month. It includes a topical index of links to education research; news about OERI-supported research, publications, and funding opportunities; education improvement activities; library and information services; and more. http://www.ed.gov/offices/OERI/ "Research Reports from the National Research and Development Centers" links to 600+ research reports on education issues from 12 national research and development centers funded by OERI. Reports are often available here before appearing in print. http://research.cse.ucla.edu/ "The Knowledge Loom," unveiled this month, provides a searchable collection of promising practices on a range of topics. A special focus on *professional development* presents research-based practices and examples of those practices in real schools. You may participate in a panel discussion, ask an expert your question, and post your own ideas or stories. http://knowledgeloom.org/

Guided Tour of Department's Website "An Orientation to the U.S. Department of Education's Website" is a slide show presented originally at the Blue Ribbon Schools Conference (October 1999) to answer 5 questions: Where can I find a new report or grant opportunity? How can I search thousands of resources and hundreds of technical assistance and information organizations for the one that can help our school? How can students use the web to prepare for college and apply for financial aid? How can I find lesson ideas and instructional resources on a topic I'll teach for the first time next month? How can I keep up-to-date on new reports and grants, new developments, and additions to the web? The slide show includes "talking points" and is designed for your use. You are invited to download and use parts (or all) of it when making presentations about what's on the web from the U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/Welcome/tour/

New Online "Vocational Education in the U.S.: Toward the Year 2000" examines the size of the vocational education enterprise at the secondary and postsecondary levels and whether it is growing, shrinking, or holding constant over time. The report presents findings about the academic preparation of high school students who participate in vocational education, relevant school reform efforts, and transitions after high school. It also describes economic and labor market trends and their implications for vocational programs, as well as changing workplace practices and employer perspectives on worker skills and proficiency. http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2000029 The "1999 FIPSE Program Book" from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education describes FIPSE-funded programs, including the Comprehensive Program, Controlling the Cost of Postsecondary Education, Disseminating Proven Reforms, North American Mobility in Higher Education, the European Union-United States Program for Cooperation in Higher Education and Training, Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships (LAAP), and Congressional Priorities Projects.