Brookings: Topics - U.S. Department of Education

No Reader Left Behind: Improving Media Coverage of Education

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 02, 2009, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

The American educational system is fundamental to promoting social and economic mobility, civic engagement and global competiveness, but the subject of receives less media coverage than other major public policy issues. On December 2, Grover "Russ" Whitehurst and E.J. Dionne, authors of The Disappearance of Education News, will present their solutions for improving education reporting and promoting quality discourse.

Department of Education Launches Race to the Top

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:35:00 GMT

Through a new competitive grant program called Race to the Top, the U.S. Department of Education is awarding $4 billion of stimulus money to states that demonstrate a commitment to education reform and innovation. Russ Whitehurst says it is a promising program that could promote education reform and elevate the education of thousands of children.

Education in the Obama Administration

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Given a choice between the status quo in American education and change, the Obama administration has been bold in pursuit of change. The president and Education Secretary Arne Duncan have used the bully pulpit and the powerful lever of $5 billion in discretionary stimulus funds to push a catalog of initiatives, writes Brookings senior fellow, Russ Whitehurst. Whitehurst gives the administration an A+ for motive, effort and reach, but he writes the administration has made some questionable bets and ignored surer ones, most specifically improvements in curriculum and instruction.

Faith in Common Standards Not Enough

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Russ Whitehurst and Michelle Croft find no association between state scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and ratings of the quality of state standards. Moreover, their analyses suggest that the creation of common standards will have little impact on our future in and of itself.

Don’t Forget Curriculum

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama has committed himself to “reform America’s public schools,” and his administration is focused on making early childhood programs, common standards, charter schools and teachers more effective. However, writes Russ Whitehurst, the administration should also undertake actions to better integrate curriculum innovation and reform into its policy framework. "Don't Forget Curriculum” compares the size of the effects on student achievement brought about by curriculum with the size of the effects of popular reform strategies favored by the Obama administration.

Vibrant Neighborhoods, Successful Schools: What the Federal Government Can Do to Foster Both

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Margery Turner and Alan Berube explore how federal policy-makers—particularly at the Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development—can promote local innovations that address the myriad connections between schools and housing, and provide better residential and educational environments for lower-income parents and students.

The Future of Student Financial Aid

Tue, 26 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 26, 2009, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

President Obama has committed to the goal of having the world's highest rate of college graduates by 2020. The funding and delivery of student financial aid will be critical to reaching that goal. To that end, the president has announced plans for an overhaul of the federal college loan system. The Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings hosted an event to explore ways of improving the effectiveness of student financial aid.

Budget 2010: New Investments in Transforming America’s Schools and Workforce

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The detailed FY 2010 federal budget reveals many elements of the administration’s strategy to achieve needed reforms in schooling and worker skills. Alan Berube analyzes the significant steps in the departments of Education and Labor budgets toward a national economic strategy that invests strategically in human capital to improve our collective prosperity.

A Discussion with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 11, 2009, 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

The Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings hosted Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for a conversation on the billions of dollars of economic stimulus aid being delivered to states and school districts under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Secretary Duncan discussed how the stimulus funds can advance the president’s goals for education reform.

Community Colleges and the National Economy

Fri, 08 May 2009 10:21:07 GMT

Alan Berube says community colleges offer educational opportunities to a growing number of students and are a critical part of the national economy and our metropolitan areas.

Transforming America’s Community Colleges

Thu, 07 May 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 07, 2009, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

On May 7, the Metropolitan Policy Program hosted a discussion on a new report by University of Wisconsin Assistant Professor Sara Goldrick-Rab on the need to transform America's community colleges to equip them for the 21st century. Visit the event page to download slides from the event presentation and for links to the report and policy brief.

Secretary Arne Duncan and the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Following Congress's vote to eliminate funding for the the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, many have criticized Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for not informing Congress of the program’s success. However, given the established procedures of the Institute of Education Sciences, it is extremely unlikely that Secretary Duncan would have known the results of the study until recently, writes Russ Whitehurst.

Innovation in Education: Invest in What Works

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorized the Secretary of Education to establish a $650 million Innovation Fund to expand the work of schools that have made gains in closing achievement gaps. With growing discussion and considerable money heading in the direction of innovation, Russ Whitehurst provides recommendations on how the Department of Education should evaluate successful programs.

The Path of Stimulus Funds to Local Projects

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this online Q&A, Russ Whitehurst explains how the stimulus funds will make their way to local projects, particularly for school programs.

Obama's Education Policy

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama spoke about implementing the merit pay system for teachers as well as expanding charter schools in a effort to reform the education system in the United States. Brown Center Director Russ Whitehurst joined Politico's Jonathan Martin and CBS News’ Bob Schieffer on Washington Unplugged to talk about the politics behind Obama's education policy and how it would affect our education system.

Stimulus for America’s Community Colleges

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Enrollment in community colleges is surging, driven by a tough economy and increasing skills requirements for gainful employment. Sarah Goldrick-Rab and Alan Berube explain that this environment, as well as longer-term economic growth imperatives, calls for a focused federal commitment to community colleges in order to boost educational attainment.

Memo to the President: Decrease Poverty and Increase Opportunity

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A major economic slowdown adds to the problems of lower-income Americans, who have not shared in the economic growth of the last decade. Greater investments in economic mobility and opportunity are needed. Rebecca Blank offers policy solutions and priorities for the president-elect to make greater investments in economic mobility and opportunity.

Policy Implications of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel Final Report

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As a member of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel, Tom Loveless discusses the policy implications of the Panel's findings at the federal, state, district, and school levels, including recommendations related to state standards, curriculum frameworks, and assessments.

Changing the Game: The Federal Role in Supporting 21st Century Educational Innovation

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

To resolve dramatic disparities in educational achievement and ensure future American workers are globally competitive, the federal government needs to change the game by catalyzing a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in public education. A new office within the Department of Education should partner with the private sector, philanthropy, and state/local governments to scale up successful educational entrepreneurs and seed transformative educational innovations.

Supporting Young Children and Families: An Investment that Pays

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Julia B. Isaacs details how the growing evidence about the importance of children’s early years is changing public attitudes toward early childhood programs. Adopting a well-designed package of investments in children from birth to five will improve children’s health, school achievement, and opportunities for future economic success.

Paying for Investments in Children

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Advocates for children are hoping that with a new administration and a new Congress in 2009, investments in children will get enhanced priority. Isabel Sawhill argues that we need a new intergenerational contract that invests more in people when they are young, but then expects them to assume somewhat greater responsibility for their own support during their retirement years.

A Plan for Reducing Poverty

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A host of demographic and economic trends in the United States are making it difficult for the nation to make progress against poverty and income inequality. However, Ron Haskins argues, government policies that raise work levels and provide public benefits to supplement earnings have proven to be effective in fighting poverty among female-headed families. But further progress against poverty and economic inequality seems unlikely unless more poor adults work, reduce the number of births outside marriage, and marry at higher rates.

Supporting Young Children and Families: An Investment Strategy That Pays

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Julia Isaacs details the evidence supporting the long-term benefits of investment in early childhood education, along with prenatal care and greater access to health care for very young children in impoverished families. In a new Opportunity 08 paper, she proposes federal policies for the next President that will provide big returns.

Investing in Early Education: Paths to Improving Children's Success

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While the nation has been struggling to eliminate the education gap, Ron Haskins testifies on ways to improve all preschool education received by poor children.

Pathways to the Middle Class: Ensuring Greater Upward Mobility for All Americans

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Middle-class prosperity is the cornerstone of the American Dream. Americans believe that through hard work and education families can enter the middle class and keep on climbing. However, recent evidence shows that, even with a rebounding U.S. econom

Strengthening Higher Education: Simplify Student Aid & Emphasize Vital Science, Math, and Language Skills

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

For higher education, the next President should mount a determined effort, in concert with states and local school districts, to boost the academic performance of low achievers by taking steps outlined in this paper.

Assuring Student Achievement: Strengthen America through Education Reforms

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The quality of education substantially determines the competitiveness of America's workforce and the social mobility of our citizenry. Demographic trends indicate that the U.S. economy will rely increasingly upon minority workers, especially Latinos and African-Americans, who are a steadily growing proportion of the adult workforce.