Press Releases

U.S. Department of Education Awards More Than $9.8 Million to Fund Centers for Parents of Students with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of more than $9.8 million in grants to 16 states to operate 25 Parent Training and Information (PTI) Centers for parents of students with disabilities. The Department also awarded $1.1 million to provide funding for 11 Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in nine states and Puerto Rico.

Seven More States, Puerto Rico and Bureau of Indian Education Request NCLB Flexibility

The Obama Administration today has received requests from seven new states, Puerto Rico and the Bureau of Indian Education for flexibility from No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in exchange for state-developed plans to prepare all students for college and career, focus aid on the neediest students, and support effective teaching and leadership.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Recognizes 269 Schools as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today recognized 269 schools as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence, or for making progress in improving student academic achievement levels. Secretary Duncan was joined by Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy for the announcement at Arlington Traditional Elementary School in Arlington, Va.

Secretary Duncan and Top Education Officials on 2012 Cross-Country Back-to-School Bus Tour

As a part of the U.S. Department of Education's third annual back-to-school bus tour, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and top federal education officials will visit a number of cities across the country. They will participate in a series of events and community conversations to be held coast-to-coast to reinforce the message that Education Drives America.

Nearly 900 Intents to Apply Submitted For $400 Million Race to the Top-District Competition to Implement Local Reforms

Today the U.S. Department of Education announced that 893 potential applicants have submitted their intent to apply for the 2012 Race to the Top-District program, which will provide close to $400 million to support local reforms that will personalize learning, close achievement gaps and prepare each student for college and their careers.

Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan On Congressionally Mandated Report on Access for Minority Males to Colleges, Universities

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today issued the following statement on a congressionally mandated report by the National Center for Education Statistics regarding access for minority males to colleges and universities, entitled, “Higher Education: Gaps in Access and Persistence Study.”

Statement from Education Secretary Arne Duncan on the Perry Hall High School Shooting

"My thoughts are with the Perry Hall High School community—students, families and faculty—in this difficult time.

"Gun violence has no place anywhere, least of all in our nation's schools. I'd like to thank the local educators and law enforcement personnel who took action to help prevent additional students from getting hurt.

Education Department Awards more than $2.5 million for Seven Student Support Services Projects to Help Students Succeed in Higher Education

The U.S. Education Department today announced the award of $2,552,193 to seven institutions of higher education to provide some 1,765 students with the academic, financial, and motivational support they need to succeed in college.

U.S. Department of Education Awards $750,000 Grant for Research to Provide Opportunities for People with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education today awarded a $750,000 grant to SEDL of Austin, Texas, to carry out activities to help people with disabilities through a Center on Knowledge Translation of Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

U.S. Department of Education Awards $613,091 Grant for Research to Provide Opportunities for People with Disabilities

The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of $613,091 for a grant to The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR), Houston, Texas, to carry out research that aims to improve living and work situations for people with disabilities.