[log in to unmask]">
February 24, 2017
______________________________________________________________________
SECRETARY BETSY DEVOS
On February 7, Elisabeth “Betsy” DeVos was confirmed as the nation’s 11th Secretary of Education. After the vote, she tweeted, “I appreciate the Senate’s diligence & am honored to serve as
@usedgov Secretary. Let’s improve options & outcomes for all US students.”
Later that day, joined by her husband, she was sworn into office by Vice President Mike Pence (video).
In an earlier tweet, President Donald Trump wrote, “Betsy DeVos is a reformer, and she is going to be a great Education Sec. for our kids!”
______________________________________________________________________
ADDRESSING ED STAFF
On her first day in office, Secretary DeVos spent time with Department staff. In
remarks, she thanked the agency’s career employees for overseeing a smooth and professional transition. Below are some highlights (video).
“Let me start simply by saying ‘thank you’ to each of you -- those here in the Department and those across the country who work every day to make education better. Americans have tremendous
respect for all of those within and outside of these walls who work to make more opportunity available through better education.
“I am here to serve -- with you. I am committed to working with everyone and anyone -- from every corner of the country, from every walk of life, from every background, and with those who
supported my nomination and those who did not -- to protect, strengthen, and create new world-class education opportunities for America’s students.
“Together, we have a noble and consequential mission to serve. There is no greater achievement in the world than positively changing the life of a child by bending the arc or breaking the
cycle through education. This is what motivates me. This is why education as a life-long pursuit is my passion. I know this is a passion we share.
“In building strong teams, embracing diversity and inclusion are key elements for success. Diversity may be viewed as cliché, but I believe that getting to know, working with, befriending,
and including people who are different from ourselves is enriching and expanding. And if we model it ourselves, how much easier will it be to encourage students to do the same?
“In addition to modeling inclusion and a love of life-long learning, the Department also has a unique role in protecting students. We believe students deserve learning environments that foster
innovation and curiosity and are also free from harm.
“While we may have disagreements, we can -- and must -- come together, find common ground, and put the needs of our students first. And when we do disagree, let us set an example by being
sincere and honest, passionate but civil, while never losing sight of our shared mission.
“To everyone on this team, my challenge to you is simple: be bold, think big, and act to serve students. And I will promise you this: Together, we will find new ways in which we can positively
transform education.”
Prior to her remarks, the Secretary visited staff in the Potomac Center Plaza and Union Center Plaza buildings. She continued visiting with staff in the Lyndon Baines Johnson building after
her remarks.
______________________________________________________________________
ENGAGING EXTERNAL PARTIES
Over the last two-and-a-half weeks, the Secretary has also been meeting with students, educators, and stakeholders.
On February 9, she traveled to Howard University to meet with President Dr. Wayne Frederick and student leaders. “It was a pleasure to meet with [Dr. Frederick] and several student leaders this
morning,” she said in a subsequent
statement. “We had a robust discussion around the many challenges facing higher education and the important role of [Historically Black Colleges and Universities]. Howard University plays a unique and valuable role in the fabric of our higher education
system, and I am honored to help celebrate its 150th anniversary. I look forward to visiting many schools across our great country and continuing the discussion on how we can increase access to affordable, quality higher education.”
On February 10, she visited Jefferson Middle School Academy.
“I thank D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson, Jefferson [Academy] Principal Greg Dohmann, Superintendent Natalie Gordon, and a tremendous team of administrators, teachers, and students for welcoming
me to Jefferson [Academy] today,” she said in a subsequent
statement. “Jefferson Academy is a public middle school on the rise and a great example of the successful collaborative innovations occurring within the D.C. Public Schools system. Focusing on their
students and families is at the heart of Jefferson’s approach, and that’s exactly what I believe is at the heart of providing an exceptional education. Great teachers and leaders help make great schools, and I was honored to speak with Jefferson’s team about
our shared commitment to strengthening public education.”
Then, last week, the Secretary joined
President Trump for a
parent-teacher conference listening session at the White House (video), as well as
addressed both the Magnet Schools of America National Policy Training Conference (remarks)
and the Community College National Legislative Summit (remarks).
Moreover, this week, she offered remarks at the
Conservative Political Action Conference (remarks)
and met with university presidents and chancellors of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (official readout).
______________________________________________________________________
ESSA UPDATE
In a
letter to Chief State School Officers, the Secretary provided clarity on
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) implementation, in light of the actions related to the postponement of the accountability regulations and the
Congressional Review Act. The letter emphasizes that states should continue to move forward and that the Department will work to ensure that state education leaders have the flexibility that Congress intended. States should continue to follow the timeline
for developing and submitting plans for review and approval, building on the work they have already completed.
The Department will provide further guidance on the state plan requirements by March 13.
“States have been working diligently on ESSA plans,” the Secretary stated, “and today’s letter makes clear that the Department remains committed to faithfully implementing the
law as Congress intended. I remain committed to working alongside local education leaders to ensure they have the flexibility to craft educational plans that make the most sense for the parents and students they serve.”
______________________________________________________________________
TITLE IX GUIDANCE
In a
statement, the Secretary announced the Departments of Justice and Education were withdrawing statements of policy and guidance requiring access to sex-segregated facilities based on gender identity (new
guidance).
“We have a responsibility to protect every student in America and ensure that they have the freedom to learn and thrive in a safe and trusted environment. This is not merely a federal mandate,
but a moral obligation no individual, school, [school] district, or state can abdicate. At my direction, the Department’s Office for Civil Rights remains committed to investigating all claims of discrimination, bullying, and harassment against those who are
most vulnerable in our schools.
“The guidance issued by the previous administration has given rise to several legal questions. As a result, a federal court in August 2016 issued a nationwide injunction barring the Department
from enforcing a portion of its application. Since that time, the Department has not enforced that part of the guidance, thus there is no immediate impact to students by rescinding this guidance.
“This is an issue best solved at the state and local level. Schools, communities, and families can find -- and, in many cases, have found -- solutions that protect all students.
“I have dedicated my career to advocating for and fighting on behalf of students, and as Secretary of Education, I consider protecting all students, including LGBTQ students, not only a key
priority for
the Department, but for every school in America.
“We owe all students a commitment to ensure they have access to a learning environment that is free of discrimination, bullying, and harassment.”
______________________________________________________________________
ODDS AND ENDS
·
The server hosting the
IDEA.ed.gov site crashed on February 8. Starting that evening, users were redirected to a web page with the most pertinent information. Testing indicated the existing server was not stable, so the agency began moving files
to a viable host, and a review found numerous links and resources outdated. Department staff are contacting stakeholders to develop a new and improved site. The Secretary’s statement regarding the restoration of the site is
here.
·
On February 16, Department staff -- including current Teacher Ambassador Fellows (TAFs) and Principal Ambassador Fellows (PAFs) -- engaged in the
#LoveTeaching campaign, which began three years ago to celebrate the joys and importance of the teaching profession.
·
The Department published the
list of candidates for the
2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, which honors some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.
·
The President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP)
bestows recognition from the President on students whose outstanding efforts have enabled them to meet challenging standards of excellence. School principals determine the number of qualifying students based on selection
criteria and verify orders for awards. There is no limit on the number of awards, as long as students
meet the criteria.
·
Check out these new reports from the agency’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): “Instructional
Time for Third- and Eighth-Graders in Public and Private Schools,” “Revenues and Expenditures for Public Elementary and Secondary School Districts,” and “Enrollment,
Employees, Financial Statistics, and Academic Libraries in Postsecondary Institutions.”
______________________________________________________________________
QUOTE TO NOTE
“The vast majority of students in this country will continue to attend public schools.
If confirmed, I will be a strong advocate for great public schools. But, if a school is troubled, or unsafe, or not a good fit for a child -- perhaps they have a special need that is going unmet -- we should support
a parent’s right to enroll their child in a high-quality alternative. It’s really pretty simple. Every child in America deserves to be in a safe environment that is free from discrimination. Every student in America dreams of developing his or her unique
talents and gifts. Every parent in America dreams of a future when their children have access to schools with the rigor, challenges, and safe environments that successfully prepare them for a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow. And every teacher in America
dreams of breaking free from standardization, so that they can deploy their unique creativity and innovate with their students.”
-- Secretary Betsy DeVos (1/17/16), from her
confirmation hearing statement
______________________________________________________________________
UPCOMING EVENTS
On February 28, Secretary DeVos will deliver the keynote address at a
day-long conference of Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) presidents and chancellors at the Library of Congress.
Also on February 28, President Trump will address a joint session of Congress.
The Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) will open its student art exhibit at the Department with a color guard and musical performances by military-connected children next
Friday, March 3 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Retired Brigadier General and MCEC Vice Chairman Earl Simms will deliver remarks. To RSVP to attend or learn more about the agency’s year-round exhibit program, please contact
[log in to unmask] or
[log in to unmask].
______________________________________________________________________
ED Review is
a product of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Communications and Outreach, State and Local Engagement
To be added or removed from distribution or submit comments (we welcome your feedback!), please contact Managing Director Adam Honeysett
at (202) 401-3003 or [log in to unmask].
Or, visit http://www2.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/.
This newsletter contains hypertext links to information
created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the user’s convenience. The U.S. Department of Education does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information.
Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.