Articles of Interest
~~~~>Strengthening
America's Schools for the 21st Century
Democratic Presidential
Candidate John Kerry’s Plan to Fund Our Schools & Invest in
America’s Kids.
John Kerry believes that we need to invest in our
schools instead of giving tax cuts to the wealthiest
Americans. He has the courage to fight for our children’s
future every day. When it comes to education, George W.
Bush has been the photo-op President. He stands next to
children and teachers for a picture, but he doesn’t stand
with them when it comes to improving our public schools.
By signing the No Child Left Behind Act and then breaking
his promise by not giving schools the resources to help
meet new standards, George Bush has undermined public
education and left millions of children behind.
As President, John Kerry will roll up his sleeves and
get things done for America’s schools. It’s time to stop
sending new mandates from Washington to school districts
without providing the necessary resources needed to carry
out those new rules. That’s why John Kerry is proposing a
new ‘Education Trust Fund’ that means fully funding
education, no questions asked.
John Kerry also believes that given the demands of a
global economy, every single child has to be able to reach
high standards in order to prosper. To ensure that all
children can meet high standards, we need to do much more
to improve our public education system. John Kerry will
support teachers, reduce class sizes, and rebuild
crumbling schools.
(Taken from John Kerry’s website)
To read entire plan, visit:
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/education/
~~~~> Millions of Student Loan Borrowers to Benefit from
Lower Interest Rates
Federal student loan interest rates have dropped for
the fourth straight year. Interest rates on federal
student loans have dropped to 3.37 percent -- the lowest
point in nearly 35 years -- saving millions of student
loan borrowers money, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod
Paige announced.
"Low-cost student loans have made college a reality for
millions of students and their families, and lower
interest rates mean more money in the pockets of the
borrowers," Secretary Paige said.
Compared to three years ago, when the interest rate was
5.99 percent, borrowers with $10,000 in student loan debt
today and a 10-year standard repayment plan can save
$1,523 in interest over the life of the loan.
For borrowers with Stafford loans issued since July
1998, the new interest rate is 3.37 percent, down from
3.42 percent last year. For students who are still in
school, within the six-month grace period or with deferred
payment, the interest rate is 2.77 percent. Parent PLUS
loans are set at a new rate of 4.17 percent.
Interest rates on most student loans are calculated
based on a formula set by law. The formula differs
depending on whether the borrower is still in school, a
grace period, deferment or repayment.
Annually, 13 million students apply for federal student
aid. This year, the Department of Education expects to
issue $52 billion in new loans to more than seven million
students and families.
President Bush's 2005 proposed budget includes several
initiatives to prepare students, both academically and
financially, to pursue a higher education. The president's
budget request includes:
- $73.1 billion in available student aid, a 6 percent
increase over the 2004 level; the number of recipients
of grant, loan and work-study assistance would grow by
426,000 to 10 million students and parents.
- $33 million for Enhanced Pell Grants for State
Scholars, which would increase Pell Grants by up to
$1,000 for first-year, full-time students who complete a
specific rigorous program of study in high school.
- $12.9 billion for the Pell Grant program -- an
increase of $856 million -- to help more than 5.3
million low- and middle-income students -- an increase
of 36 percent since 2000 -- pay for their education.
- $395 million for Historically Black Colleges and
Hispanic-Serving Institutions that serve high
proportions of minority and disadvantaged students.
- An increase in loan limits for first-year students
-- from $2,625 to $3,000; current loan limits for
first-year students have remained essentially unchanged
since the early 1970s.
- Increased availability of extended repayment options
for all students.
More information on federal student aid is available at
www.studentaid.ed.gov or by calling 1-800-433-3243.
~~~~> Bush
Administration Proposes Perkins Secondary and Technical
Education Excellence Act of 2004
The Bush Administration is proposing the Carl D.
Perkins Secondary and Technical Education Excellence Act
of 2004 to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and
Technical Education Act of 1998. This paper provides
highlights of the reauthorization plan.
Key Objectives
Ensure that career and technical education (CTE)
programs complement the academic mission of No Child Left
Behind and the workforce development mission of the
Workforce Investment Act.
Help every youth in a CTE pathway receive a challenging
academic education that prepares him or her for future
education and career success.
Ensure that every CTE pathway in secondary schools
offers a smooth transition into a postsecondary program
leading to a technical certificate, associate or
baccalaureate degree, apprenticeship or a job.
Make high-quality CTE pathways widely available to both
youth and career-changing adults through a variety of
institutions and delivery models.
Connect CTE pathways to workforce investment systems to
strengthen national and regional workforce quality and
economic competitiveness.
Federal Funding
Combine the Tech Prep program and Perkins State Grant
program into one program.
Funds will be distributed to states using the same
formula that is used in current law.
States may reserve up to 15 percent of allocation for
state leadership activities and administration (not more
than 5 percent may be used for administration, and must be
matched, as in current law).
Funding for local CTE programs will be allocated to
local partnerships, unlike current law, which splits funds
at the state level for secondary and postsecondary
programs. States will use at least 75 percent and up to
85 percent of the allocation to award CTE Pathway
Partnership Grants.
States will have discretion to set aside up to 10
percent of the allocation to award Special Focus Grants to
local institutions or regional or statewide consortia to
support innovative programs and activities.
Maintains current prohibition against using federal
funds to supplant non-federal resources and includes a
state maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement that is
comparable to MOE requirements established for other
Department of Education programs.
A summary of the major provisions of the Act may be
viewed at:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/sectech/leg/cte/04blueprnt.doc
~~~~> Brown
Anniversary
On May 17, Secretary Paige joined President Bush in
Topeka, Kansas, to dedicate Monroe Elementary School as
the Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site.
Linda Brown, the eldest daughter of Rev. Oliver Brown, the
case's namesake, attended school at Monroe.
To read this entire article, visit:
http://www.ed.gov/news/opeds/edit/2004/05142004.html.
Dream Deferred?
As further evidence of the post-Brown work that
remains, Education Trust released revised "State Summary
Reports" documenting achievement, attainment, and
opportunity gaps for all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. The reports have state-specific data on:
Achievement Gaps
- How many students are proficient in reading and math
on state assessments? How does achievement on state
assessments compare with the state's proficiency rates
on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)?
- How do achievement gaps compare across states?
Where are gaps the biggest, and where are gaps the
smallest?
- In which states are minority students making the
largest gains over time on NAEP?
Attainment Gaps
- Who makes it through high school?
- Who makes it to college?
- Who makes it through college with a degree?
Opportunity Gaps
- What are the participation/success rates for
different groups of students in high-level courses, such
as Advanced Placement?
- Who gets assigned to teachers who have a major in
their field?
- Who gets more state and local dollars invested in
their education?
- On every measure, students of color and low-income
students continue to get less than their "fair share" of
public education's critical resources.
For more information, please visit
http://www2.edtrust.org/edtrust/summaries2004/states.html.
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June 2004 Edition
