PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 1/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today announced the approval of North Dakota's consolidated state plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
"North Dakota's plan meets the law's requirements, so I am glad to announce its approval," said Secretary DeVos. "I want to thank Superintendent Baesler, Governor Burgum and all other stakeholders who helped craft a plan to improve education for North Dakota students."
Allowing states more flexibility in how they deliver education to students is at the core of ESSA. Each state crafted a plan that it feels will best offer educational opportunities to meet the needs of the state and its students. The following are some of the unique elements from North Dakota's plan:
Creates a "Choice Ready" framework that will measure how effectively schools are preparing students for success after high school, with the goal of having the state's graduation and "Choice Ready" rates to be the same.
Uses a survey incorporating student responses to measure the extent to which students are being engaged cognitively, behaviorally and emotionally, in addition to the quality of that engagement.
"North Dakota crafted our ESSA plan after extensive engagement with stakeholders in our state," said State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler. "North Dakota ESSA plan stakeholders created a formula of accountability based on our state's values that struck a balance of high expectations of proficiency and growth for all students. This plan reflects what's best for the students in North Dakota. We are excited to implement an accountability system that was written with supports and interventions to best meet the needs of students in our state and improve academic achievement for all students over time."
Secretary DeVos Praises Expansion of Educational Opportunities for Illinois Students and Families
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 1/ 17 (link source)
Washington — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today released the following statement:
"Real change and innovation in education will not come from Washington—it will come from states where parents and students demand more education options and have their voices heard. I commend Gov. Rauner and Superintendent Smith for their leadership in making Illinois the 18th state to adopt a tax credit scholarship program. By expanding choices for families and focusing funding on individual students, this program will help thousands of Illinois children succeed."
Secretary DeVos Approves Maine and Vermont's ESSA Plans
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 8/ 31/ 17 (link source)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today announced the approval of Maine and Vermont's consolidated state plans under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
"Both Maine and Vermont's plans were found to comply with the law, so I am happy to approve them," said Secretary DeVos. "I want to thank the chief state school officers, governors and all other stakeholders who helped craft these plans that will help their students succeed."
Allowing states more flexibility in how they deliver education to students is at the core of ESSA. Each state crafted a plan that it feels will best offer educational opportunities to meet the needs of the state and its students. The following are some of the unique elements from each state's approved plan as highlighted by each state:
Maine
Creates a three-tiered system of support for schools based on performance, with the highest level of support offering coaching and mentoring to teach effective strategies for school turnaround, in addition to increased funding for staff professional development.
Plans to reduce the number of non-proficient students in half by 2030.
"Maine's ESSA plan is moving away from compliance and regulation toward a model that supports and assists schools and educators, especially in areas where students are at a disadvantage," said Robert G. Hasson, Maine Commissioner of Education.
Vermont
Creates an innovative measure of postsecondary outcomes by measuring the percentage of former high school students enrolled in college or trade school, employed in the workforce and/or enlisted in the military approximately 16 months after their high school experience ends.
Includes physical education in its accountability system to encourage schools to attend to the whole child and to help promote a lifestyle of healthy living.
"The Vermont State Plan reflects Vermont's simultaneous goals of supporting our most vulnerable students while focusing on solutions that are practical and effective to meet our educational needs," said Rebecca Holcombe, Vermont Secretary of Education. "We have worked hard to create a plan that values student success for all, both in the classroom and in preparing our students to be engaged and contributing citizens once they leave our schools."
Secretary DeVos Visits Texas and Louisiana as Department of Education Continues to Aid Victims of Hurricane Harvey
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 2/ 17 (Link source)
Houston — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today joined President Trump, FEMA Administrator Brock Long and members of the Cabinet in Texas and Louisiana to visit with those impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The group toured the Hurricane Harvey Relief Center and met with members of the Texas and Louisiana congressional delegations to learn more about how best to assist those on the frontlines of the recovery effort.
"Texas and Louisiana have a long road to recovery ahead, but the resilience of those in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey was evident today," said Secretary DeVos. "The Department of Education will continue to work side-by-side with the people of both states as they begin to piece their lives back together, and get their communities and schools up and running again."
Attendees included:
President Donald Trump
First Lady Melania Trump
Secretary Betsy DeVos, Department of Education
Secretary Ben Carson, Department of Housing and Urban Development
Secretary David Shulkin, Department of Veterans Affairs
Acting Secretary Elaine Duke, Department of Homeland Security
Administrator Brock Long, Federal Emergency Management Agency
The following are some of the actions already taken by the Department of Education to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey as well as actions planned for the near future:
Last week (on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017), the Department began contacting more than 200 colleges and universities located in areas likely impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The Department will continue to work with campus administrators at affected schools to provide resources and offer assistance.
The Department published general guidelines for colleges whose operations are interrupted by a federally declared major disaster. They are available at https://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN1708.html
Federal Student Aid (FSA) set up a responsive team to manage the correspondence, emails, calls and other inquiries received from institutions. A database was developed to track and manage all contacts with schools and document any support needed to resolve claims/questions from impacted schools. General information for students and parents about disaster assistance was posted at StudentAid.gov/hurricane-harvey.
The Department directed federal student loan servicers to provide impacted borrowers flexibility in managing their loan payments during this time. Borrowers can contact their student loan servicer for more information or call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) to find out their servicer's contact information.
The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) has granted Texas' request for an extension for its ESSA plan submission
OESE and the Office of Innovation and Improvement (OII) have reached out to their partners (state education agencies, school districts, charter school associations and private schools) to inform them that the Department stands ready to offer technical assistance and, where applicable, flexibility around federal requirements and deadlines
OESE will be conducting a webinar on September 7, 2017, for Texas LEAs in the affected area on the McKinney-Vento Homeless program. OESE will also conduct webinars on ED flexibilities as well as disaster resources that are available from other Federal agencies.
On September 1, 2017, the OII Team updated internal and external websites indicating that applicants from Hurricane Harvey affected communities have the opportunity to submit grant applications for the Promise Neighborhood program later than the September 5, 2017, deadline.
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is coordinating with the Texas Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services on how best to provide services for those in need.
The Department's K-12 and Higher Education stakeholders who are seeking informational resources as well as those seeking relief from Department-based administrative requirements should contact the Department toll free at 1-844-348-4082 or by email at HarveyRelief@ed.gov.
NEWS FROM NASA...
Three International Space Station Crewmates Safely Return to Earth
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 9/ 2/ 17 (link source)
NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who set multiple U.S. space records during her mission aboard the International Space Station, along with crewmates Jack Fischer of NASA and Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Roscosmos, safely landed on Earth at 9:21 p.m. EDT Saturday (7:21 a.m. Kazakhstan time, Sunday, Sept. 3), southeast of the remote town of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan.
While living and working aboard the world’s only orbiting laboratory, Whitson and Fischer contributed to hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science, welcomed several cargo spacecraft delivering tons of supplies and research experiments, and conducted a combined six spacewalks to perform maintenance and upgrades to the station.
Among their scientific exploits, Whitson and Fischer supported research into the physical changes to astronaut’s eyes caused by prolonged exposure to a microgravity environment. They also conducted a new lung tissue study that explored how stem cells work in the unique microgravity environment of the space station, which may pave the way for future stem cell research in space.
Additional research included an antibody investigation that could increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs for cancer treatment, and the study of plant physiology and growth in space using an advanced plant habitat. NASA also attached the Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass Investigation (ISS CREAM) on the outside of the space station in August, which is now observing cosmic rays coming from across the galaxy.
The crew members received a total of seven cargo deliveries during their mission. A Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle launched to the space station in December 2016 delivering new lithium-ion batteries that were installed using a combination of robotics and spacewalks. Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft arrived at the station in April on the company's seventh commercial resupply mission. Three SpaceX Dragon spacecraft completed commercial resupply missions to the station in February, June and August. And, Russian ISS Progress cargo spacecraft docked to the station in February and June.
Whitson’s return marks the completion of a 288-day mission that began last November and spanned 122.2 million miles and 4,623 orbits of the Earth – her third long-duration mission on the station. During her latest mission, Whitson performed four spacewalks, bringing her career total to 10. With a total of 665 days in space, Whitson holds the U.S. record and places eighth on the all-time space endurance list.
Fischer, who launched in April, completed 136 days in space, during which he conducted the first and second spacewalks of his career. Yurchikhin, who launched with Fischer, now has a total of 673 days in space, putting him seventh place on the all-time endurance list.
Expedition 53 continues operating the station, with Randy Bresnik of NASA in command, and Sergey Ryazanskiy of Roscosmos and Paolo Nespoli of ESA (European Space Agency) serving as flight engineers. The three-person crew will operate the station until the arrival of NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Joe Acaba, and Alexander Misurkin of Roscosmos. Vande Hei, Acaba and Misurkin are scheduled to launch Sept. 12 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
WORLD AND NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS
From the UN News Center:Surge in number of civilians fleeing Myanmar's Rakhine for Bangladesh – UN agencies
5 September 2017 – More than 123,000 people from Myanmar's Rakhine state have fled to Bangladesh since the latest outbreak of violence, the United Nations migration agency today announced seeking $18 million to urgently help the refugees.
Yemen: UN report urges probe into rights violations amid 'entirely man-made catastrophe'
5 September 2017 – The United Nations human rights chief has called for an independent, international investigation into the allegations of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Yemen, in a new report published today.
NATIONAL
WP: Trump administration announces end of immigration protection program for ‘dreamers’
The Trump administration announced Tuesday it would begin to unwind an Obama-era program that allows younger undocumented immigrants to live in the country without fear of deportation, calling the program unconstitutional but offering a partial delay to give Congress a chance to address the issue.
CBS NEWS: How the decision to end DACA affects Dreamers
The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it's ending the 2012 program that has deferred deportations for more than 780,000 people who came to the U.S. illegally as children.
Daily Bible Verse: And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
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