United States Department of Education

Upcoming television broadcast
In today's 21st century marketplace where "what you earn" is directly tied to "what you learn," knowledge of and proficiency in math has never been more important. Studies indicate that a strong foundation in mathematics - cultivated in the early grades, when children need to develop basic math aptitudes and the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in algebra - is absolutely essential if students are to succeed in college and the workplace.

Deputy Secretary Simon, appearing with state education leaders at an education policy roundtable, cited progress and challenges facing New Mexico schools in meeting No Child Left Behind goals.

On March 13, 2008, the National Mathematics Advisory Panel presented its Final Report to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Education. Copies of these ground-breaking reports, rich with information for parents, teachers, policy makers, the research community, and others, are provided below.

Secretary Spellings addressed a joint session of the Oklahoma House and Senate Education Committees in Oklahoma City, Okla., and discussed how the Federal government can support and facilitate further academic gains made by Oklahoma students under No Child Left Behind.

Registration (first-come, first-served basis)
We are now taking registrations for guests who would like to attend the final meeting of the National Math Panel.

Secretary Spellings and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley hosted an education policy roundtable with state legislators, educators and business leaders at the Alabama State House in Montgomery to discuss how to get every child on grade level or better.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today delivered remarks at the semiannual meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). She underscored the importance of transparency in higher education and highlighted the need to provide families with valuable information about institutions so parents and students can make informed education decisions.

The working report also spells out specific concepts in math that are too often neglected in pre-K through grade 8 math instruction generally, such as fractions, whole numbers, and particular elements of geometry and measurement...calculators have shown “limited to no impact on calculation skills, problem-solving competencies, or conceptual development.”

The U.S. Department of Education today launched a new Web site to provide teachers, administrators and other educators with recommendations on effective teaching practices and examples of possible ways to implement those practices to help promote excellence in American education and improve student achievement.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Williamson M. "Bill" Evers as assistant secretary for the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Education.

In recent years, parents have benefited from a significant expansion of educational options for their children.

Albany, N.Y. - U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Raymond Simon today highlighted the efforts of our nation's charter schools to empower parents and improve access to quality education for all students during a visit to Brighter Choice Charter Schools in Albany, N.Y. Offering the keynote address at the school's 4th grade commencement ceremony, Secretary Simon congratulated the students and teachers for their hard work to achieve the top ranking among Albany schools in English and math assessment scores.

The U.S. Department of Education today announced recent loans totaling nearly $400 million to four historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) affected by Hurricane Katrina--Dillard University, Xavier University, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) and Tougaloo College.

U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today announced the award of $116 million for 122 new grants to improve the quality of American history education. The grants are being awarded to school districts in 40 states nationwide.

High school students in the United States are taking more courses in mathematics and science, as well as social studies, the arts, and foreign languages, according to The Condition of Education 2007 report released today by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The general increases in credits earned since the early 1980s are, in large part, a product of more graduates taking more advanced courses.