Legislative Hot Topics: Blog

For complete details see Federal Register March 18, 2011
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-6459.pdf

Deadline for Applications: May 9, 2011. 

Some Priorities:

• Activities to improve classroom instruction for English Learners (ELs) to assist educational personnel working with such children to meet high professional standards 
• For pre-service professional development programs that will assist local schools and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to upgrade educational personnel who are not certified or licensed 
• For the development of program Curricula 
• Enabling More Data-Based Decision-Making. 
• Improving preparation of all teachers to better serve English learners. 
• Collaborating with local educational agencies on professional development to improve the ability of teacher preparation faculty and content faculty at IHEs in preparing prospective teachers to teach ELs; 

Estimated Range of Awards:

• $275,000–$400,000 per year, for each 
• Estimated Number of Awards: 53. 

Eligible Applicants: IHEs in consortia with LEAs and SEAs

Address to Request Application Package: 
Yvonne Mathieu 
U.S. Department of  Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Room 5C138
Washington, DC 20202–6510
(202) 401–1461 

For complete details see Federal Register March 22, 2011
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-6640.pdf

Deadline for Applications: May 23, 2011. 

Priorities: 

• Increasing Postsecondary Success 
• Enabling More Data-Based Decision- 
• Making Curriculum Alignment between and colleges and between 2- and 4-year 
• postsecondary programs. 
• Reducing Instructional Costs. 
• Improving Productivity 

Estimated Range of Awards: 

• $500,000–$750,000 for a three year project period. 
• Estimated Number of Awards: 28. 

Eligible Applicants: IHEs or combinations of IHEs and other public and private nonprofit institutions and agencies. 

Address to Request Application Package: 
ED Pubs, U.S. Department of 
Education, P.O. Box 22207, Alexandria, 
VA 22304. 1–877– 433–7827. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Sarah T. Beaton, Comprehensive Program, 
U.S. Department of Education, 
1990 K Street, NW, room 6054, 
Washington, DC 20006–8544. 
(202) 502–7621. 

On March 14th the president, speaking at an Arlington Virginia Public School made a push to change "a flawed No Child Left Behind Act."  This was a significant change in how he was addressing NCLB.  Previously the Administration had been calling it the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (the name of the measure to which NCLB was the latest revision).  In addition he said that the goals were the right goals, closing the achievement gap; but that how it was being done wasn't the right way. 

Furthermore the President called for "no cuts to education" that this was not the way to protect America's future.