Education Report for February 27, 2009

Highlights under each section of the attached report include:

1. Budget and Appropriations
-The Ed. world anxiously awaits details of how the Ed. department intends to distribute stimulus funds.
-FY 2009 Omnibus Bill finally passes in the House and is likely to pass in the Senate next week, with a number of increases in funding for education on top of the stimulus (see attached report and chart sent 2/26 for details of education funding in omnibus).
-President Obama sent his budget outline to Congress 2/26
-Sec. Duncan laid out education spending priorities under the President's plan, largely focused on college readiness and affordability.
-Duncan warned, as the President has said, that ineffective programs will also be eliminated.

2. Brown Center Releases Report on American Education
-Examined the use of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) as a benchmark when assessing K-12 student performance at the international level.
-Controversy over supposed ideological bias

3. In Brief, headings include:
-American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Resources and Guidelines
-Solis Confirmed as Labor Secretary
-NCTE Announces National Day of Writing
-National Science Board Holds First Meeting of 2009
-Common Core Hosts Discussion of 21st Century Skills in the Curriculum
-Metlife Releases Teacher Survey Results

Be sure to also scan sections #4 ("New Publications") and #5 ("In the News"), for articles of interest.