U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today new federal assistance for students and schools impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the 2017 California wildfires. An additional $2.7 billion, authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, will be used to help K-12 school districts and schools as well as institutions of higher education (IHEs) in their recovery efforts.
“The long road to recovery continues, but these funds should provide vital support to schools and institutions to help them return to their full capabilities as quickly and effectively as possible,” said Secretary DeVos. “I continue to be inspired every day by the dedication shown by educators, administrators and local leaders to getting students’ lives back to normal.”
Secretary DeVos has visited each of the hurricane-impacted areas and continues to be in frequent contact with education leaders as they restore their learning environments. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, the Secretary deployed more than a dozen volunteers as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Surge Capacity Force across Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Department continues to regularly send staff to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Island to provide on-site assistance.
The new Federal assistance announced today will allow the Department to launch the following programs:
(1) Immediate Aid to Restart School Operations (Restart)
Under this program, the Department is authorized to award funds to eligible State educational agencies (SEAs), including those of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas and U.S. Virgin Islands. These SEAs, in turn, will provide assistance or services to local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools, and private schools to help defray expenses related to the restart of operations in, the reopening of, and the re-enrollment of students in elementary and secondary schools that serve an area affected by a covered disaster or emergency.
(2) Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Students
Under this program, the Department will award Emergency Impact Aid funding to SEAs, which, in turn, will provide assistance to LEAs for the cost of educating students enrolled in public schools, including charter schools, and private schools, who were displaced by the hurricanes during the school year 2017-2018 and California wildfires in 2017.
Congress appropriated a combined amount of approximately $2.5 billion for both the Restart and Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Student programs. The amounts awarded under each program will be based on demand and specific data received from eligible applicants.
(3) Assistance for Homeless Children and Youth
Congress appropriated $25 million for additional grants to SEAs for LEAs to address the needs of homeless students displaced by the covered disasters and emergencies. The Department anticipates using data on displaced public school students collected under the Emergency Impact Aid program to make allocations to SEAs under the Assistance for Homeless Children and Youths program. SEAs will award subgrants to LEAs on the basis of demonstrated need. LEAs must use the funds awarded under this program to support activities that are allowable under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
(4) Emergency Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education
Congress appropriated $100 million for this program, which will provide emergency assistance to IHEs and their students in areas directly affected by the covered disasters or emergencies, for activities authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
(5) Defraying Costs of Enrolling Displaced Students in Higher Education
Congress appropriated $75 million for this program, which will provide payments to IHEs to help defray the unexpected expenses associated with enrolling displaced students from IHEs directly affected by a covered disaster or emergency, in accordance with criteria to be established and made publicly available.
The Department will be sharing additional information soon, including the application packages and technical assistance, on its “Disaster Relief” webpage at https://www.ed.gov/disasterrelief.
For additional information on the programs for K-12 schools and school districts, please contact David Esquith, Director, Office of Safe and Healthy Students, at David.Esquith@ed.gov. For additional information on the programs for IHEs, please contact Adam Kissel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs, Office of Postsecondary Education, at Adam.Kissel@ed.gov.
First Choice by Select Health of South Carolina is offering two scholarships to qualified applicants who are furthering their education or pursuing a second career in 2018. The 8th annual First Choice member scholarship program is open to all First Choice members. Applications are due by March 5, 2018. Select Health offers the First Choice Medicaid health plan to South Carolina residents and is part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies.
The First Choice member scholarship program began in 2010 when Select Health pledged $200,000 over 10 years through its Caring10 initiative. Applications and complete information about this scholarship program are available at www.selecthealthofsc.com/community/member-scholarship.aspx.
“Helping just one person pursue a college education can uplift an entire family, or even a community,” said Rebecca Engelman, market president at Select Health. “We’re always excited to receive scholarship applications because there are so many First Choice members excelling in school and doing wonderful things in life.”
Eleven individual recipients have benefited from this scholarship, including several repeat winners. Four winners have hailed from Columbia, with one each from Boiling Springs, Gaffney, Kingstree, Simpsonville, Summerville, Sumter and Timmonsville. Winning applicants have attended schools including Charleston Southern University, Claflin University, Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, Emmanuel College, Francis Marion University, Limestone College, the University of South Carolina, the University of South Carolina-Aiken and Winthrop University.
In addition to this collegiate scholarship program, First Choice by Select Health also supports education through its summer internship program for qualifying college students as well as its new General Education Development (GED) and Reading Assistance programs for First Choice plan members.
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education’s (IDOE) Office of eLearning announced today the recipients of the 2018 Digital Learning Grants. This year’s grants offer up to $75,000 in support for districts developing a new focus for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) instruction, or computer science, within their existing digital learning environment.
“Maintaining a focus on STEM activities in today’s educational environment is vital to preparing students for their future success,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “I congratulate the awarded districts as I know they will use this grant to continue making a positive impact in their communities.”
In line with IDOE’s 2018 Strategic Priorities, the 2018 Digital Learning Grants focused on proposals that included vetted STEM curriculum, devices for coding, robotics equipment, and professional development for teachers. Twenty-Seven districts were awarded Digital Learning Grants, totaling nearly $2 million in funding. Awarded grants ranged from just over $11,000, up to $75,000.
President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) student recipients are selected annually by their school principal. Last year, PEAP provided individual recognition to nearly three million graduates at the elementary, middle and high school level at more than 30,000 public, private and military schools from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Outlying Areas (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
Students receive a certificate and schools receive a letter signed by the President and U.S. Secretary of Education.
School Year 2017-18 program materials are now available from PEAP’s partners: the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the Association for Middle-Level Education and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The materials outline how to order certificates before the end of the school year. Certificates are absolutely FREE – and there is no limit.
Please review the list of participating schools at https://www.ed.gov/presedaward/. If your local school does not currently participate, please reach out and urge them to do so this year. We want to recognize ALL graduates for their accomplishments.
Background –
PEAP was founded in 1983. Every year since then, the program has provided principals with the opportunity to recognize students who meet high standards of academic excellence, as well as those who have given their best effort – often overcoming obstacles in their learning. Eligible students are selected by their principal under two categories.
The President’s Award for Educational Excellence recognizes academic success in the classroom. To be eligible, students must meet a few academic requirements, including a high grade point average or other school-set criteria and a choice of either state test performance or teacher recommendations.
The President’s Award for Educational Achievement recognizes students that show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment, or intellectual development in their subjects but do not meet the academic criteria above. Its purpose is to encourage and reward students who give their best effort, often in the face of special obstacles, based on criteria developed at each school.
Frances Hopkins is director of the President’s Education Awards Program at the U.S. Department of Education.
CHICAGO CRUSADER — After School Matters® is now accepting teen applications for its Spring 2018 program session. More than 400 programs in the arts, communications and leadership, sports and STEM will be offered at nearly 150 Chicago public high schools, as well as Chicago Park District, Chicago Public Library and community organization locations throughout the city. Programs will continue to be offered downtown at Gallery 37 Center for the Arts and at The Michael and Karyn Lutz Center for After School Matters in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood. Teens can search and apply for spring programs online at afterschoolmatters.org. The online application is also available entirely in Spanish.
In total, more than 7,000 paid apprenticeship and internship opportunities will be available to Chicago high school teens this spring through After School Matters. Participating teens will be eligible to earn a stipend of up to $425 (depending on the program level), and interns can earn up to $10.50 per hour.
“After School Matters is committed to providing teens with inspiring and engaging opportunities to explore their interests,” said Mary Ellen Caron, chief executive officer of After School Matters. “Through our programs, teens are able to further develop their passions and expand their skill sets, which we know will help them succeed in college, careers and beyond.”
After School Matters’ unique programs offer teens an opportunity to develop their current skills while incorporating critical 21st Century skills like collaboration, problem solving, social awareness and more. Multiple independent studies and data have confirmed that teens who participate in After School Matters programs have higher Freshmen On-Track rates, improved school-day attendance and higher high school graduation rates than their peers.
A few of the exciting programs offered throughout the city this spring include:
Kelvyn Park Bikes – Sports
Location: Kelvyn Park High School, Hermosa
This program offers teens the opportunity to explore the biking industry. Teens will develop hands-on mechanic skills, organize community events and participate in weekly field trips. Upon successful completion of the program, teens are eligible for summer employment with the Chicago Park District and West Town Bikes.
Museum 44 – STEM
Location: National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, Pullman
Using pop culture, various media and professional mentors, teens will produce a television show in this program. Teens will learn about music production, film production, marketing, promotions and media from industry professionals while working on a film that can improve their communities.
Teatro Americano – Arts
Location: OPEN Center for the Arts, South Lawndale
In this program, teens explore different aspects of theater production and performance including acting, movement, voice, improvisation, writing, marketing, costuming, and stage management. At the conclusion of the program, teens present a full-length play in a professional theater setting.
Teen Arts Council – Arts
Location: University of Chicago Arts Incubator, Washington Park
The Teen Arts Council collaborates with the University of Chicago Arts + Public Life initiative to develop skills in arts administration, community engagement and event planning, while providing opportunities for other teens to engage with the arts. The Council members work with university staff and local partners to develop projects and public events for various audiences.
Territory Urban Design Team – Communications & Leadership
Location: Roosevelt High School, Albany Park
In this program, teens will work in art, architecture, urban planning, entrepreneurship, community organizing and public health. Teens will have the opportunity to research, design and implement ideas to activate public spaces.
Urban Hardball and Softball – Sports
Location: Columbus Park, Austin
Teens in this program will train to become umpires and coaches by learning the rules of baseball and softball and developing their leadership and communication skills. Teens are able to practice what they learn with little league programs.
Windy City Harvest Youth Farm – STEM
Location: Neighborhood Housing Services, North Lawndale
In the Windy City Harvest Youth Farm North Lawndale program, teens learn what it takes to grow healthy food in the urban environment. Participants grow, harvest, sell and cook more than 40 varieties of fruits and vegetables and showcase their work at a community famer’s market.
Teens can search and apply for Spring 2018 programs at afterschoolmatters.org. All After School Matters programs are free and open to Chicago teen residents who are at least 14 years of age (16 years of age for internships) and are high school students. As part of the application process, teens interview with program instructors to discuss their interests. Chicago teens are encouraged to apply early, as program opportunities fill up quickly. Application features include an interactive map to help teens search for programs and a full Spanish translation on a mobile-friendly platform. For questions about programs and applications, call 312-742-4182 or email applications@afterschoolmatters.org. Para mas informaciónen Español llámenos al 312-846-7106 o mándenos un correo electrónico al espanol@afterschoolmatters.org.
The Delaware Department of Education is seeking online public feedback on data visuals that will be used in the Delaware State Report Card.
The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires public reporting on schools. The Delaware Department of Education is developing the Delaware State Report Card to replace the current School Profiles site to meet these requirements.
In October, the Delaware Department of Education hosted five community conversation meetings throughout the state to provide background about the Delaware Report Card and to solicit revision recommendations for how educational information and data will be shared with the public. Now the department needs additional feedback on data visuals. Data visuals along with guiding context, business rules, and specific data points will help provide a more comprehensive, accurate and transparent picture of state, district and school performance to the public.
Our plan has been recognized as one of only seven in the nation to receive a strong rating in three major categories for its new accountability system. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2moTdoc.
Informational Documents
NEW! Guide to ESSA Plan and a flyer about the differences between No Child Left Behind and ESSA are now available. Please read and share informational documentsrelated to the Every Students Succeeds Act.
Topics include Vision for Excellence in Education, Arkansas Academic Standards, School Quality and Student Success, State Assessment System, and What is ESSA?
Archive of the Arkansas State Plan Process
Arkansas’ federal education accountability plan reflects more than a year and a half of ongoing collaboration, input and feedback provided by educators, parents and students around the state. The plan was submitted to the USDE on September 15, 2017. To learn more about the process, please visit the Stay Informed Archive page.
ADE Facebook Live Series: Understanding ESSA
This series was recorded in May 2017 to provide information about educator effectiveness, assessment, accountability, school support and English Language Learners under ESSA.
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015, and reauthorized the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation’s education law that provides opportunity for all students. Read the Every Student Succeeds Act at http://bit.ly/1TFr29X
As part of the Vision for Excellence in Education, Arkansas is defining the Arkansas Accountability System. Arkansas is committed to transparent communication with all stakeholders. ESSA Summary. Please see the log of meetings and presentations at http://bit.ly/2aKz0ma
Arkansas Department of Education begins writing the state accountability and support plan, continues to gather stakeholder feedback, and modify the plan based on the stakeholder feedback.
The Advocates for Students group will provide targeted feedback on the state accountability and support plan through the lens of the students they represent. The advocate groups are: English Language Learner, Special Education Economically Disadvantaged, Race/Ethnicity, Foster Children, Military Dependents, Homeless and Equity for all Students
Get involved. Sign up to be an Ambassador and share the latest ESSA news with your colleagues, community members, friends and family. If you are interested in learning more about being an ambassasor, please complete the requested information and Ms. Tina Smith will be in contact with you. Thanks. View the list of Ambassador Hosted Community Listening Forums.
Advocate for Students – Committees will be asked to review the Arkansas Accountability System with the lens of student’s subgroups-English Language Learner/Title III, SPED, Economically Disadvantaged, Race/Ethnicity, Foster Children, Military Dependents, Homeless, Equity for All Students. To access the application to be a student advocate, please go to http://bit.ly/2b9yUlC.
Tune in to Steering Committee Meetings. The Vision for Excellence in Education and Arkansas Accountability System Steering Committee will meet on the last Wednesday of each month (beginning August 31, 2016) at 9:30 am in the Arkansas Department of Education auditorium. The meetings will be open to the public, live streamed, and recorded.
5. Submit Public Comment. Submit comments, questions, concerns and celebrations regarding ESSA.
Additional Resources
The Alliance for Excellent Education website offers one-page fact sheets, five-minute videos and a side-by-side chart comparing No Child Left Behind(NCLB) and ESSA.
The U. S. Department of Education website offers the full ESSA Act, resources, and opportunities to sign up for federal updates.
PRIDE PUBLISHING GROUP — Award-winning Nashville-based financial services company Advance Financial is accepting applications now through March 30 for its Advancing Education Scholarship program. Scholarships are available to seniors at accredited Tennessee schools who reside in a county served by Advance Financial.
The students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and plan to attend a two- to four-year institution in the United States as an undergraduate.
The $1,000 awards are provided to cover part of the students’ college expenses for the fall semester of their freshman year. Over the past nine years, the company has awarded more than $133,600 in scholarships to graduating seniors in Tennessee through the Advance Financial Foundation.
“There are so many bright young students across the state who have promising futures ahead of them when given the right opportunities to pursue their potential,” said Shantrelle Johnson, VP of corporate citizenship for Advance Financial. “As a company we want to help them get off to a strong start in their academic endeavors. We welcome all students who are working towards higher education to apply for a scholarship, you can help us make this the biggest year yet for our Advancing Education program.”
Applications are judged on academic activities, honors, goals, community involvement and the ability to persevere in life.
To fund the scholarship program, Advance Financial collects donations in all of its stores across Tennessee and matches the donations dollar-for-dollar through the Advance Financial Foundation.
The Advancing Education program is part of Advance Financial’s deep-rooted commitment to education.
The company supports and funds a variety of educational initiatives, focusing on programs that improve the quality of education for preschool, grade school, and high school students, and make college more accessible to high school graduates.
Registration is ongoing for a scholarship that offers Iowa high school seniors a chance to receive one of 30 scholarships worth $2,000 for college while learning important financial literacy skills.
In addition, each recipient’s high school will receive a corresponding $500 award.
High school seniors may register for the Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship between now and Feb. 16. Iowa Student Loan® will award $2,000 scholarships to 30 students who complete two online financial literacy tutorials and score highest on a related assessment. Registered students also receive emails highlighting financial literacy tips, such as the importance of early career and college planning and ways to reduce student loan indebtedness. For more information go here.
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today new federal assistance for students and schools impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and the 2017 California wildfires. An additional $2.7 billion, authorized by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, will be used to help K-12 school districts and schools as well as institutions of higher education (IHEs) in their recovery efforts.
The Delaware Department of Education is seeking online public feedback on data visuals that will be used in the Delaware State Report Card.
PRIDE PUBLISHING GROUP — Award-winning Nashville-based financial services company Advance Financial is accepting applications now through March 30 for its Advancing Education Scholarship program. Scholarships are available to seniors at accredited Tennessee schools who reside in a county served by Advance Financial.
