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Friday, June 7, 2013

Arne Duncan To Launch 'High School Redesign' Competition

Arne Duncan To Launch 'High School Redesign' Competition:

Arne Duncan To Launch 'High School Redesign' Competition

In his 2013 State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama promised to bring America's high schools into the future.

"I'm announcing a new challenge to redesign America's high schools so they better equip graduates for the demands of a high-tech economy," Obama said at the time. "We'll reward schools that develop new partnerships with colleges and employers, and create classes that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math –- the skills today's employers are looking for to fill jobs right now and in the future."

Now, after months of questions over what form that competition would take, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is announcing the details. According to an administration memo provided Friday to The Huffington Post, the competition will "promote a rethinking of the high school learning experience." The "High School Redesign" would have school districts partner up with other institutions, such as colleges, non-profits, businesses and government agencies, to apply for $300 million in competitive grants that would allow them to implement their overhaul visions.

The High School Redesign plan is included in the administration's 2014 budget. It is unclear, though, whether