Latest News and Comment from Education

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Media Advisories--Department of Education

Media Advisories--Department of Education

Event Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Contact: David Thomas (202) 401-1576 or
david.thomas@ed.gov

U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SENIOR OFFICIAL TO DISCUSS ESEA REAUTHORIZATION AND TOUR SCHOOLS DURING VISIT TO GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA

U.S. Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary Massie Ritsch will tour two schools and meet with the Gainesville Florida Chamber of Commerce during a visit to Gainesville on Wednesday, June 2. Ritsch will meet with business leaders, school board members and other education stakeholders to discuss President Obama's blueprint for revising the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and other initiatives. As deputy assistant secretary for external affairs and outreach, Ritsch oversees the department's outreach to external stakeholders, especially education associations and the business community.
In November 2009, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce awarded Gainesville, Florida the 2009 Region of Excellence Award. This award annually recognizes an outstanding community for its sustained, collaborative approach to economic development through education and workforce development.
In the morning, Ritsch will tour Eastside High School and Stephen Foster Elementary School before attending the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce meeting in the afternoon. Jasmine Ulmer, the Department’s Teacher Ambassador Fellow, will be joining Ritsch for the day, starting at Stephen Foster Elementary.

Event Date: 9:30 a.m. MDT Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Contact: Jo Ann Webb, (202) 401-1576 or
press@ed.gov

ASSISTANT DEPUTY SECRETARY TO KEYNOTE SCHOOL SAFETY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION CONFERENCE, DISCUSS IMPORTANCE OF SAFE SCHOOLS

Kevin Jennings, assistant deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, will discuss the importance of school safety and its impact on learning at the second annual School Safety and Violence Prevention Conference at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, in Commerce City, Colo.
The three-day conference, which takes place June 2-4 at Adams City High School, will bring together an estimated 500 school administrators, law-enforcement personnel and other partnering agencies to discuss evidence-based tools, practices and interventions that are essential for creating safe, supportive and successful schools.

Event Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Contact: Jim Bradshaw, (202) 401-2310 or
jim.bradshaw@ed.gov

U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY TO ADDRESS U.S.-INDIA BUSINESS COUNCIL'S 35TH ANNIVERSARY SUMMIT & D.C.'S BANNEKER HIGH COMMENCEMENT

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will appear at two events Wednesday in Washington. At 10:30 a.m., he will speak to the U.S.-India Business Council's 35th Anniversary Summit, stressing the importance of international collaboration to improve education. That afternoon, he will deliver the commencement address to the graduating class from Benjamin Banneker Academic High School. The ceremonies will be held from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Howard University's Cramton Auditorium. Benjamin Banneker Academic High School is a specialized school that offers a highly structured four-year program leading to college admission.