Student Loan Reform Proposal Is Real "Game-Changer," Says Education Secretary

By Laurel Brishel Prichard - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan gave hope to current and future college students Wednesday, saying the Obama administration wants to increase funding for federal student loans as well as prevent banks from profiting from individuals enrolled in universities.

"Americans want to invest in their children and their future. Not in profit for banks," said Duncan.

Under a proposal recently put forth by the administration, banks would stop receiving federal tax subsidies, and students would go directly to the government for their school loans. The proposal would also reward students with capped interest rates, which would drop from 15 percent to 10 percent. In addition, students would see their loans be forgiven after 20 years, five years less then the current time period in place, and graduates that work in the public sector working in rural or inner city communities after they finish school would have their loans erased after 10 years.

"This is a once in a generation opportunity," said Duncan.

The estimated savings under the proposal would amount to nearly $87 billion over the next 10 years, according to Duncan. Those savings would be put toward more education programs and additional funding for Pell grants, which provide funding to low-income students.

"We have to get many more people into college today and it's never been more difficult for families to overcome that financial hurdle. We have a chance to fundamentally break through. This is a real game-changer," said Duncan.

Duncan, NYC Mayor Racing To Improve Nation's Educational System

By Laura Smith - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

While folks across the country are putting the finishing touches on Thanksgiving dinner preparations, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg are working on bringing education reform to the table.

Duncan and Bloomberg met in Washington D.C. Wednesday to discuss the Obama administration's education reform program "Race to the Top," and how to get more out of America's schools.

Duncan said that communities across the nation are demanding better education for their children, and urged Americans to keep pushing very hard for change.

“What are we trying to do with Race to the Top?...We’re asking folks to make the kinds of changes that will last two, three, four years...We want the kind of fundamental changes that will last for two, three, four decades,” Duncan said.

Bloomberg blasted a 2008 law passed by the New York the State Legislature that forbids principals from evaluating teachers based on student achievement data.

“That’s like saying to hospitals: You can evaluate heart surgeons on any criteria you want. Just not patient survival rates. Thankfully, the law in New York is set to expire this June, but that isn’t enough,” Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg also listed six key educational reforms he'd like to see his state and others make, including paying higher salaries for high-performing teachers and principals, ending a layoff policy called “last-in, first out,” identifying and removing the lowest performing teachers and lifting restrictions on the growth of charter schools.

Education Secretary Unveils Plan To Have States Compete For School Funds

By Meagan Wiseley, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Education Secretary Arne Duncan unveiled the final application of nationwide education reform Thursday: a state by state competition for federal dollars in exchange for proof of improvements in a variety of educational categories.

"We will award grants to the states that have led the way in reform and will show the way for the rest of the country to follow," Duncan said in a statement released Thursday.

The $4.35 billion competition, called Race to the Top, was passed by Congress as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last February.

Aside from the competitive aspect of the program, the amount of the grants awarded will be determined by a state's population of K-12th grade students. More populous states like California, New York and Texas could earn up to $700 million. Less populated states like New Mexico and Vermont stand to earn up to $75 million.

The program uses a 500 point system to determine the funds each state receives, with teacher and principal effectiveness amounting for 58 points alone.

“Race to the Top is absolutely a competition...We expect the winners to lead the way and blaze a new path for the future of school reform for years, and even decades, to come,” Duncan added.

President of the National Education Association (NEA), Dennis Van Roekel, applauded Duncan for putting the “spotlight on what needs to happen in our classrooms.” However, Van Roekel held some qualms over how teacher and principal effectiveness is measured.

“We are disappointed that the administration continues to focus so heavily on tying students’ test scores to individual teachers," Van Roekel said, adding that the evaluation “misses the mark.”

Education Secretary: School Failure Is National Failure

By Laura Smith, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

While Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is certainly pleased over the strides made by many schools, he concedes that more needs to be done to improve education.

During an award ceremony Wednesday honoring Texas' Aldine Independent School District (ASID), Duncan noted that only seven out 10 public school students finish high school, and that only one in four college students can do college work.

"This simply isn't just a personal failure. It's a national failure," Duncan said.

An additional $100 billion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds has recently been allocated for education reform.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation awarded the Aldine Independent School District (AISD) from outside Houston the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education. This award is the largest education award in the country, and the school district will receive $1 million in college scholarships.

Superintendent Dr. Wanda Bamberg Ed.D., accepted the award.

Aldine has shown some of the most consistent student achievement gains nationally in the last decade and has been recognized as one of the top five most improved urban American school systems in four of the last six years.

The four finalists were Broward County Public Schools in southern Florida; Gwinnett County Public Schools outside Atlanta; the Long Beach Unified School District in California; and the Socorro Independent School District in Texas. Each finalist will receive $250,000 in college scholarships.

Dr. Bamberg said Aldine is 84% economically disadvantaged, and have watched their college students and college participation numbers decline in the past few years. She said the scholarship is truly the only way students can further their education.

"When you see the conditions that our students live, and understand that they truly do live in poverty in some places, then this doesn't just represent a scholarship opportunity, it doesn't just represent four years at school, it represents a future and a complete change of life for that individual student and, in many cases, the family of that student," Bamberg said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said excellence is what the Broad Award has always been about. She said the nation's children success is essential to the success of the U.S.

"Those blessed with the most serve all of us," Pelosi said.

Pelosi said that while a high school diploma may gain entry into the workforce, but a college degree is a ticket to higher wages, more job security and a brighter future.

Education Secretary: $100 Billion For Education Might Not Be Enough

Travis Martinez, University of New Mexico- Talk Radio News Service

Education Secretary Arne Duncan touched upon the $100 billion that has been provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for education Monday at the Conressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 2009 Public Policy Conference, stating “While the money might not be enough, and money alone is not the answer, it doesn’t hurt to have $100 billion dollars."

The Secretary added that there are many urgent challenges facing education reform, but that he is optimistic over the future of the U.S. school system.

“We have a tall and ambitious agenda”, said Duncan. “We need to dramatically increase access [to education] and make sure it’s quality access... not just glorified babysitting."

Secretary Duncan proposed the U.S. invest in early childhood education, adding “It’s the best investment you can make."

Duncan also suggested the U.S. recognize talent in the education field by rewarding and shining a spotlight on great teachers, mentors and also principals. The Secretary also outlined his goal to cut drop out rates in underserved communities.