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

A biweekly look at progress on the Secretary's priorities

Table of Contents Class Size Reduction & Teacher Quality Helping All Children Read Well... Helping All Children Reach High Standards Education Opportunity Zones, Low-Performing Schools Higher Education Act (HEA) Reauthorization All Classrooms Connected to the Internet... Every School Safe, Drug-Free & Disciplined Administration Opposes California Proposition 227 New Online Credits

CLASS SIZE REDUCTION & TEACHER QUALITY Last week the President sent Congress a legislative proposal that would help states & school districts recruit, train, & hire 100,000 additional well-prepared teachers in order to reduce class size in public school grades 1 through 3 to an average of 18 students. The "Class-Size Reduction & Teacher Quality Act of 1998" would provide $20.8 billion over 10 years (beginning with $1.1 billion in fiscal year 1999) to states. States would distribute funds to school districts based on districts' relative class sizes in grades 1 through 3 & on their ability & effort to finance class-size reductions with their own resources. Also last week the Department released a report, "Reducing Class Size: What Do We Know?" The report concludes that "Research shows that smaller classes promote student achievement in the early grades. Significant effects of class size reduction on student achievement appear when class size is reduced to a point between 15 & 20 students." The report & related information can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/ClassSize/

HELPING ALL CHILDREN READ WELL BY THE END OF 3RD GRADE "Reading Partners: Teaming up to Help Children Read Well" is the title of this month's Satellite Town Meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern time. Panelists & Secretary Riley will discuss how families, schools, community groups, & businesses can create an environment for children that will foster a love of books & prepare them for later reading success. Two programs that focus on creating language-rich environments for young children & their families will be featured. The Middle Country Public Library in Centereach, NY, has created a "Family Place" where the library serves as a center for family services. Jumpstart in New Haven, CT, supports college students serving as reading tutors for young children. Other featured programs will highlight what parents & schools can do. For satellite coordinates & more information, please call 1-800-USA-LEARN or visit the Satellite Town Meeting web site at: http://www.ed.gov/inits/stm/

HELPING ALL CHILDREN REACH HIGH STANDARDS Secretary Riley this month cited 109 elementary & secondary schools that have outstanding Title I programs. This year's Title I Recognition Program focused on schoolwide programs. The 109 school programs were recognized for... creating opportunities for all children to improve performance in the core academics; offering better professional development for teachers; providing curriculum & instruction that supports achievement of high standards; building partnerships among schools, parents, & communities; and producing 3 years of successful student achievement. Title I serves students who live in low-income areas in almost all school districts in the country. It is designed to help these students master the basics & more challenging subject matter. For more information, please see: http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/05-1998/t1rec.html

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY ZONES, LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS On May 7, Senator Kennedy & Congressman Clay introduced legislation (S.2044 & H.R.3813) to create the Education Opportunity Zones program proposed in the President's 1999 budget. Under the President's 5-year, $1.5 billion proposal, additional resources to advance reforms will go to about 50 high-poverty urban & rural school districts that have begun to show gains in student performance & that agree to: end social promotion & turn around failing schools; prevent students from falling behind by ensuring quality teaching, challenging curricula, & extended learning time; use high standards & tests of student achievement to identify & provide help to students, teachers, & schools who need it. The President also announced the release of a new report, "Turning Around Low-Performing Schools," which provides guidelines to help educators & local & state officials take positive steps to turn around persistently low-performing schools. The press release & portions of the report are at: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/turning/ http://www.ed.gov/PressReleases/05-1998/turning.html

HIGHER EDUCATION ACT (HEA) REAUTHORIZATION A bill to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, H.R. 6, passed the House of Representatives on May 6 by a vote of 414 to 4. The Senate is expected to consider the bill within the next few weeks. For information about the legislation & the Administration's proposal, please see: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/PPI/Reauthor/

ALL CLASSROOMS CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET; ALL STUDENTS TECHNOLOGICALLY LITERATE On May 13, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issu Credits ED Initiatives is made possible by many contributors, including Patricia Adelstein, Julie Anderson, Cindy Balmuth, Pete Donahoe, Julie Green, Sylvie Hale, Peter Kickbush, Narric Rome, Keith Stubbs, David Thomas, Carole Wacey & others. Have a comment or suggestion on ED Initiatives? Please send it to Kirk Winters in the Office of the Under Secretary at kirk.winters@ed.gov. -###- [Past Issues of ED Initiatives] Last Updated -- (cdb)