FRITZ: The FritzWire Has Arrived!

I'm pleased to feature the FritzWire -- Fritz Edelstein's email-only roundup of meetings, hearings, reports, and jobs -- each week on this site, starting today.  Click below to see all about the Secretary's Title I regulations announcement tomorrow, a Friday CEF briefing on how the fiscal crisis will affect education spending, and all sorts of policy and PR jobs. 

If it's happening, Fritz knows about it -- usually before anyone else.  Now you don't have to worry where that email went. 

Previous Posts
Insider Edelstein On The HotSeat
The Week Ahead: Spellings, Fritz, Russo

Fritz Edelstein <fritz@publicprivateaction.com>	Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 9:15 PM
To: fritzwire@lists.aacrao.org
Lots of new stuff – read down.   ELECTION COUNTDOWN: 8 days until Election Day;    7 new – Hearings, Meetings, Etc.            10 new – Other Information       THIS WEEK   Today, Monday, October 27 – Center for Reinventing Public Education program on a new report  -- Funding Student Learning: How to Align Education Resources with Student Learning Goals. To be held from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m in the Murrow, White & Lisagor Rooms at the National Press Club. Funding Student Learning: How to Align Education Resources with Student Learning Goals is a report from the National Working Group on Funding Student Learning. Drafted by Jacob E. Adams, Jr., and sponsored by the School Finance Redesign Project (SFRP) at the University of Washington’s Center on Reinventing Public Education, the report focuses on: How today's school finance systems fail to support the nation's ambitious student learning goals; How "student learning" and "continuous improvement" change the way we approach education finance; What educators can do today to use resources more effectively; and How educational leaders can transform finance systems to support student learning.  Panelists include: Paul T. Hill, Director, Center on Reinventing Public Education, and the John and Marguerite Corbally Professor at the University of Washington; Jacob E. Adams, Jr., Chair, National Working Group on Funding Student Learning, and Professor of Education at Claremont Graduate University; and James W. Guthrie, Member of the National Working Group on Funding Student Learning, and Professor of Public Policy at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. Lunch will be available at 12:30 p.m., followed by brief presentations by the panelists and a discussion moderated by Jacob Adams.  Please RSVP by October 10 to Kate Ratcliffe at crpe@u.washington.edu or 206.685.2214.  For directions to the National Press Club, visit: http://npc.press.org/directions.cfm. Today, Monday, October 27, Rethinking Red and Blue:  Myths, Perceptions, and the 2008 Vote. Dr. Andrew Gelman, co-author of Red State, Blue State, Rich State, Poor State has analyzed voting patterns and found that the media have missed, and misstated, the real correlations between voting and income level.  It turns out the mythical lower-income "Values Voter" who puts "God, guns and gays" before economic concerns is just that.  The Republican edge in poorer states has little to do with the cultural concerns of lower-income voters, and far more to do with the intensity of GOP support among the wealthy in these states. In other words, we're not in Thomas Frank's Kansas anymore. to hear a revealing analysis of how and where income and other demographic trends actually affect voting patterns, and what it all means for the 2008 election.  Following a presentation of Dr. Gelman's findings, we will hear from David Frum, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush and author of a recent New York Times Magazine article on "The Vanishing Republican Voter."  To be held at the New America Foundation, 1630 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 7th Floor from 12:15 to 1:45 PM.  To RSVP for this event, go to the event page: http://www.newamerica.net/events/2008/rethinking_red_and_blue   NEW Information -- Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 28, at 12:00 noon ET, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings will deliver remarks in Columbia, South Carolina, announcing final regulations to strengthen the No Child Left Behind Act, including specific requirements that states implement a uniform graduation rate and enhance parents' leverage in accessing public school choice and supplemental educational services options for their children.  Around 12:30 p.m. ET, materials (press release, fact sheet, pamphlet, etc.) and a link to the regulations will go live at www.ed.gov. Also, the Department is offering three additional opportunities for stakeholders to learn about the regulations.  You are invited to participate in any or all of the following.  See below for each of those opportunities. Following the school visit, Secretary Spellings Secretary Spellings will deliver remarks about strengthening No Child Left Behind to community, business and education leaders at South Carolina Educational Television at 12:10 p.m. EDT.  Secretary Spellings will discuss better reporting for uniform graduation rates and enhancing parents’ educational options for their children.  The Secretary will host a question and answer session after her remarks.  For those not able to attend, the Secretary’s remarks and the question and answer session will be available via satellite and webcast live at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2008/10/10282008.html     Tomorrow – Tuesday, October 28 – IN PERSON BRIEFING ON TITLE I REGULATIONS at the U.S. Department of Education's Auditorium (400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.)  from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. ET. Deputy Secretary Ray Simon, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Kerri Briggs, and Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Doug Mesecar will host this briefing. RSVPs are not required.  Note: For security purposes, attendees are reminded to bring a photo ID and business card.  Attendees must enter the building through the C Street visitor entrance (on the east end of the building, closest to 4th Street), go through the magnetometers, and show their photo ID to security personnel.  At that point, instead of signing-in at the Guard's Desk, attendees will be directed to the auditorium's rear doors, where they will be asked to submit their business card.  Tomorrow - Tuesday, October 28 – CONFERENCE CALL from 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. ET.  Phone #: 1-800-779-8307; Passcode: EDUCATION.  Deputy Secretary Ray Simon, Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Kerri Briggs, and Assistant Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Improvement Doug Mesecar will host this conference call.  Again, RSVPs are not required.  Tomorrow -Tuesday, October 28th, the Center for American Progress Action Fund presents -- Latinas in the US: The story behind the numbers.  Featured Panelists: CristinaMailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.americanprogressaction.org" claiming to be  Lopez, President National Hispana Leadership Institute; Patricia Campos, Political Director of the New Jersey State Council of UNITE HERE! ; Luz Urbáez Weinberg, Commissioner, City of Aventura, FL ; Carol Hardy-Fanta, Director of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at UMass Boston's John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studie; and Moderated by:  Vanessa Cárdenas, Director for Ethnic Media, Center for American Progress.  It will be held from NOON to 1:30 PM at 1333 H Street, NW, 10th floor.  To RSVP call 202-682-1611.  NEW – Tuesday, October 28, NewTalk, a program part of Common Good will launch a month-long series of forums devoted exclusively to education. On the 28th it begins with what most agree is critical to student achievement: quality teachers. Can public schools succeed in the 21st century without a new deal for teachers? A panel of experts explores what a new deal might look like and how it might be accomplished. What are teachers entitled to and what must they give up? What about principals, superintendents, parents, and even students--is it time we ask all players in the education system to be more responsible?  Visit www.newtalk.org for more information, to watch the discussion unfold and find out how to participate.  Steve Farkas, President of The Farkas Duffett Research Group, and Richard Arum, Professor of Sociology and Education at the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and author of Judging School Discipline: The Crisis of Moral Authority, are heading up discussions featuring: Jean Johnson, Public Agenda Jonathan Cohen, Center for Social and Emotional Education Charles Kolb, Committee for Economic Development Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham Institute Arthur Wise, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Bob Wise, Alliance for Excellent Education Thursday, October 30 – LIVE WEBCAST on Title I Regulations from 1- 2:00 PM ET.  More information forthcoming.  Details not final yet MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.americanprogress.org" claiming to be Thursday, October 30th, The next SEE FORUM entitled:  Meeting the Teacher Quality Imperative:  New Evidence on Teacher Induction and Professional Development.  The forum will feature brief presentations from the study leaders of two recent reports on teacher quality. The first study, The Impact of Two Professional Development Interventions on Early Reading Instruction and Achievement, is one of the first rigorous efforts to examine the impact of professional development on a large scale. The second study, which is anticipated to be released soon, reports the Impacts of Comprehensive Teacher Induction: Results from the First Year of a Randomized Controlled Study. In addition, ample time will be made available to discuss the findings and the current teacher quality field. Panelists: Mike Garet, Chief Research Scientist, American Institutes for Research; Steve Glazerman, Senior Researcher, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.; and Kate Walsh, President of the National Council on Teacher Quality; Moderator: Steve Fleischman, Director of the SEE Forums and Vice President, American Institutes for Research.  To be held at the Charles Sumner School, 1201 17th and M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. ;  Lunch will be served at 11:30 am and the session will begin promptly at noon and conclude at 1:45 pm.  RSVP: Space is limited. Please RSVP for this event at http://www.seeforums.org/registration.aspx .   NEW – Thursday, October 30 – Wired Magazine and the New America Foundation Presents:  McCain v. Obama:  The Technology Policy Smackdown!!!!! Starring Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Reed Hundt.  To be held at the New America Foundation, 1630 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 7th Floor from 12:30 to 1:45 PM.  Lunch will be provided.  You must RSVP to:  www.newamerica.net/events/2008/tech_smackdown.   NEW -- Friday, October 31 – The Committee for Education Funding will host a forum on the financial crisis and its effects on education. The overall goal for the forum is to provide greater insight about how today's economy is affecting students, education funding and finance, school systems, and post-secondary education at the federal, state and local levels. Speakers include Stan Collender, Managing Director at Qorvis Communications; Mary Peloquin-Dodd from Standard & Poor’s; Brian Sigritz from the National Association of State Budget Officers; Matt Hamill, National Association of College and University Business Officers; and Haley Chitty, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.  The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the National Education Association (NEA), 1201 16th St. NW, Auditorium A. Price for CEF Members is $59 and for non-members is $89. To register, contact Sarah Van Auken at 202-383-0083 or svanauken@cef.org     MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.seeforums.org" claiming to be October 30 or November 4-- Webinar Invitation: Multiple Education Pathways Learning Exchange – Sponsored by the US Department of Labor.  The Multiple Education Pathways Learning Exchange will bring together representatives from over 30 communities that are engaged in efforts aimed at stemming the dropout crisis and improving the educational and career opportunities for youth who have dropped out. This Webinar will introduce the various initiatives represented at the learning exchange and address the goals and objectives of the meeting. It will also provide important information on how all participants can prepare for the learning exchange to ensure that it is a productive and informative event. Register Now-- 10/30/08 Session: http://www.workforce3one.org/public/webinars/details.cfm?id=376; OR FOR 11/04/08 Session: http://www.workforce3one.org/public/webinars/details.cfm?id=377.  Registration for this Webinar is limited and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please click the link below to login to Workforce3 One and register today! For more information, visit http://www.workforce3one.org/support/index.cfm?id=940.The Webinar lasts for 60 Minutes.  The time each day for the webinar is:  2:00pm Eastern (1:00pm/Central, 12:00pm/Mountain, 11:00am/Pacific).   MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "thursday,october30,awebinarontheeconomiccrisis:howwegotintothismessandwhatweasanationandasadvocatescandoaboutit.presenters:-jaredbernstein,economicpolicyinstitute;-barryzigas,consumerfederationofamerica;anddeborahweinstein,coalitiononhumanneeds._BAD_registerforwebcastat:www.bostonconferencing.com" claiming to be Thursday, October 30, A webinar on the Economic Crisis:  How we got into this mess and What we as a nation and as advocates can do about it.  Presenters: - Jared Bernstein, Economic Policy Institute; - Barry Zigas, Consumer Federation of America;  and Deborah Weinstein, Coalition on Human Needs.  Register for webcast at: www.bostonconferencing.com/chn. Trying something new: This event will be webcast live from the Economic Policy Institute in Washington, DC. DC-based advocates will attend. Advocates outside of DC can tune in and watch on their computers. We will leave plenty of time for questions, taking them both from those in the room and from participants watching from undisclosed locations all around the country.  To be held from 2:30 to 4:00 PM.  If you can join us in person: RSVP to Maricela Donahue, mdonahue@chn.org.  Webcast location: Economic Policy Institute, 1333 H Street, NW; Suite 300; Washington, DC. This event is presented by the Coalition on Human Needs. Co-Sponsors (list in formation): AFSCME, Catholic Charities USA, CLASP, Community Action Partnership, Family Economic Initiative, Lutheran Services in America, National Association for State Community Service Programs (NASCSP), National Center for Law and Economic Justice, National Employment Law Project, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Women's Law Center, NEA, NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, RESULTS, Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, US Action, Voices for America's Children, Wider Opportunities for Women, Workforce Professionals Training Institute and YWCA.         NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND   TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 – REMEMBER TO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEW – Thursday, November 6,  Next New Talk program on:  Why is there so much school bureaucracy and what can we do about it? With Jeff Abbott and Jean Johnson.  Go to:  www.newtalk.org for more information, to watch the discussion unfold and find out how to participate.  NEW – Wednesday, November 12, New Talk program -- How can we restore order and respect in public schools? With Richard Arum, Jonathan Cohen, and Jean Johnson.  Go to:  www.newtalk.org for more information, to watch the discussion unfold and find out how to participate.  Thursday, November 13, Education Sector presents author Peg Tyre and a discussion of “Trouble with Boys:  A Surprising Report Card on Ours Sons, Their Problems at School, and What Parents and Educators Must Do.” This will be a special evening reception, discussion and book signing.  Also participating in the discussion will be Sara Mead, New America Foundation, and Richard Whitmore, USA Today.  It will be held from 5 to 7 PM at Education Sector’s office located at 1201 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 850.  Register online for event at: http://www.educationsector.org/events/events_show.htm?doc_id=711299  Space is limited. NEW – Thursday, November 13, American Architectural Foundation and Target presents -- Voices from the Field:  New perspectives in school design. To be held at Sidney Harman Hall at the Shakespeare Theatre, 601 F Street, NW from 4:30 to 6:30 and followed by a reception. Featuring:  Student Voices A presentation of the ground-breaking results of the most significant study to date on student attitudes about school design and their vision for the future.  This new information provides fresh insights and puts student voices front and center in conversations about school design. The Role of Leadership in School Design Superintendents discuss the importance of their engagement in school design. Panelists will address how learning about school design changed the way they think about design, bolstered their ability to effectively convey design ideas to stakeholders, and, ultimately, has had a positive impact on the design and function of their schools. Presentation of the 2008 Richard Riley Award for Schools as Centers of Community.   To attend you must RSVP to 202.639.7613 or events@archfoundation.org  Sunday- Wednesday, MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.educationsector.org" claiming to be November 16-19, Public Education Network’s Annual Conference to be held in San Francisco in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the first local education funds.  In addition to planning future actions to strengthen the nation’s public schools, the conference will consider how public education has been affected over the past quarter century by world events, school reform, community issues, politics, the economy, and public opinion.   For more information go to: http://publiceducation.org/annualconference/index.html . MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "publiceducation.org" claiming to be Monday, November 17 – The Thomas Fordham Institute is holding a discussion around its new publication -- A Byte at the Apple: Rethinking Education Data for the Post-NCLB Era.  Scholars and reformers examine the state of education data in 21st Century America and offer a vision of how this crucial yet seldom-studied enterprise might be done differently and better in the future. Panelists include:  Kevin Carey, Research and Policy Manager, Education Sector; Chrys Dougherty, Senior Research Scientist, National Center for Educational Achievement; Chester E. Finn, Jr., President, Thomas B. Fordham Institute; Jon Fullerton, Executive Director, Project for Policy Innovation in Education, Harvard University; Aimee Guidera, Director, Data Quality Campaign; Bryan Hassel, Co-Director, Public Impact; Glynn Ligon, CEO, ESP Solutions Group; Paul Manna, Assistant Professor, Department of Government, College of William & Mary; Macke Raymond, Director, Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University; Mark Schneider, Former Commissioner, National Center for Education Statistics; and Nancy Smith, Deputy Director, Data Quality Campaign.  It will be held at the Institute,1016 16th Street, NW, 7th Floor from NOON to 5 PM.  Contact Christina Hentges at rsvp@edexcellence.net or 202-223-5452 with questions. Monday, November 17-21, Ninth annual International Education Week coinciding with American Education Week.  The week supplies schools, colleges and universities, and communities the opportunity to promote and celebrate the benefits of international education worldwide.  This year's theme is "Fostering Global Responsibility and Leadership."  Individuals and institutions are encouraged to join the listserv and submit a report on planned activities.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO http://iew.state.gov/. NEW – Tuesday, November 18 – Next New Talk Program entitled:  Should we scrap No Child Left Behind? Go to:  www.newtalk.org for more information, to watch the discussion unfold and find out how to participate.  MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "iew.state.gov" claiming to be November 20-21, National Center for Technology Innovation’s 2008 Technology Innovators Conference: Thriving in a Global Marketplace to be held at the Madison Hotel in D.C.  Bringing together thought leaders representing corporations, academia, developers, public policymakers, and funders who are involved in technology innovation to enhance learning for all students. Email questions about the Conference to ncti@air.org.  Speakers include: Alan Brightman, Senior Policy Director, Yahoo!, Inc.; Milton Chen, Executive Director, The George Lucas Educational Foundation; Chris Dede, Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education; Charles Fadel, Global Lead, Education, Cisco Systems; Gordon Freedman, Vice President, Education Strategy, Blackboard; Chinwe Onyekere, Program Officer, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Secretary Tom Perez, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation; T. V. Raman, Research Scientist, Google, Inc; Steve Seleznow, Program Director, Education Division, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Rob Sinclair, Director of Accessibility, Microsoft; Jim Stovall, Co-Founder and President, Narrative Television Network (NTN); Mary Ann Wolf, Executive Director, State Educational Technology Directors Association; and Yong Zhao, Executive Director, Confucius Institute; Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University.  To register go to:  http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/events-main-page/2008conference/registration/;  For an agenda go to:  http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/events-main-page/2008conference/agenda/ December 10,  NCTAF will release new data on the impending demographic shift facing the teaching workforce at the National Press Club.  More information to follow. MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.nationaltechcenter.org" claiming to be December 10, Pre-K Now National Conference will have a live broadcast at 1 PM ET.  Its  live conference broadcast — viewable at hundreds of sites throughout the country — will share new lessons and best practices to help you win high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all children.  For more information go to www.preknow.org Tuesday, January 20, Inauguration Day Tuesday, January 20, 2009, NCTET Inaugural Gala -- National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training (NCTET) will once again be hosting a special inaugural event honoring the new Administration and Congress. This preeminent education celebration will be held at the Folger Shakespeare Library.  Its Board represents the leading education and industry organizations supporting this important mission. MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.preknow.org" claiming to be March 1-3, 2009 -  18th Annual National Conference on Family Literacy: "Family Literacy — Family Progress".  Check their Web site for frequent updates at www.famlit.org/conference.  It is being held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Florida.  Proposals for presentations are welcome from literacy practitioners and educators, program administrators and school leaders, public and school librarians, parent and community liaisons, researchers, and professional development specialists.  Lead presenters receive a 50% discount on their Conference registration. Proposals are accepted online only through October 20. For more guidelines, go to www.famlit.org/conference.  NCFL is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Toyota Family Literacy Teacher of the Year.  The winner will receive $7,500 for his or her family literacy program, as well as a free trip to the 2009 National Conference on Family Literacy in Florida. Several finalists will receive a $500 scholarship. Programs are encouraged to nominate exemplary family educators online at www.famlit.org/ToyotaTeacher. The deadline to submit nominations is December 5. March 10-12, 2009 -- CoSN Annual Conference:  Leadership, Policy & Innovation In Collaborative World.  The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) announced that bestselling authors Don Tapscott, Clayton Christianson and Michael Horn will deliver keynote addresses at its 14th Annual K-12 School Networking Conference at the Hilton Austin Hotel in Austin, TX.  Opening keynoter Don Tapscott is a thought leader on the strategic value and impact of information technology and the Net Generation that has Grown Up Digital. In a follow-up to his seminal work Growing Up Digital, his new book Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing the World revisits the Net Generation as the eldest of its members turns 30, enters the workforce and marketplace, and establishes their roles as life-long learners and contributors to society. Closing keynote speakers Clayton M. Christensen and Michael B. Horn are co-authors of Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns. Their keynote explores why "can't schools customize their teaching?" The current education system, "designed for standardization," must by its nature ignore the individual needs of each student. The answer to this problem, according to Christianson and Horn, is "disruptive innovation," a principle introduced (and initially applied to business) by Christensen, a Harvard Business School Professor, in The Innovator's Dilemma. The idea is that an audience in need will benefit from even a faulty opportunity to fulfill that need; in education, the demand for individual instruction could be met through infinitely customizable online computer-based instruction. Other Information · NEW -- The nation's "persistently high" high-school-dropout rate is adding to concerns about the growing economic crisis, the Wall Street Journal reports. According to a recent study by the nonprofit America's Promise, only about 70 per cent of public high school students graduate in four years, with only 52 percent in the 50 largest cities doing so. The study says a 50-percent reduction in the number of dropouts would generate an additional $45 billion a year in tax revenue. Marguerite Kondracke, president of America's Promise, calls dropouts "our next class of nonperforming assets." Public officials also are worried about rising costs for social programs and the criminal justice system, where dropouts account for 75 percent of state prison inmates. Read more at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122455013168452477.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us [PEN] · NEW -- A report from the Brookings Institution calls on the federal government to "change the game" in public education by creating a federal Office of Educational Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Department of Education. Written by Sara Mead of the New America Foundation and Andrew J. Rotherham of Education Sector, the report says such an office could "expand the boundaries of public education by scaling up successful educational entrepreneurs, seeding transformative educational innovations, and building a stronger culture to support these activities throughout the public sector." The authors cite the achievement gap between poor and minority students and their more affluent peers, along with findings that American 15-year-olds perform less well than students in 23 other countries in math and in 11 other countries in reading.  http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2008/1016_education_mead_rotherham.aspx The report at  http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/reports/2008/1016_education_mead_rotherham/1016_education_mead_rotherham.pdf · NEW -- Defending a Chicago Public Schools program that pays students for their academic achievements, Mayor Richard M. Daley has rejected criticism that it amounts to "bribery," reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Daley's comments came a day after nearly $266,000 in cash rewards were distributed to 1,650 students in the city. The mayor said suburban parents often rewarded their children for good grades, so inner-city kids -- many of whom "have nothing" -- deserve similar consideration. Speaking of public school students, he added: "Some don't even have parents. They're lucky to get Christmas gifts. They're lucky they get a hug once in a while. They get it at school." Chicago's privately financed "Green for Grades" program, currently operating in 20 high schools, offers freshmen and sophomores $50 for each A they earn, $35 for each B, and $20 for each C in English, math, science, social science, and physical education in each five-week reporting period. Students get half their earnings up front, and the rest when they graduate, but any F grade disqualifies them for the marking period. More at http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/1227690,report-card-pay-for-grades-101708.article [PEN]  · NEW -- In a joint statement on October 10, Secretary Spellings and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson pledged additional support for the student loan market.  "Continuing constraints in our capital markets have posed challenges for students and student lenders throughout the last year," they said.  "We recognize that education is the foundation of a strong American workforce, and we must not let challenges in our capital markets hinder our students' opportunities.  Given these ongoing concerns, the Administration is taking a series of steps to support the student loan market."  Earlier in the week, President Bush signed an extension of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (see http://edlabor.house.gov/micro/loansact_extend.shtml). Since the original May 2008 enactment of this law, no student has been unable to access federal student aid.  The new law simply extends -- for another year -- certain temporary provisions, including granting the Secretary of Education the authority to purchase loans from lenders within the federal guaranteed loan program (to ensure they continue to have access to capital to originate new loans).  Next steps?  "Over the next few months, schools and lenders will be making decisions for the 2009-2010 school year," the executives noted.  "Using our newly extended authorities, the Administration is moving aggressively to support the continued availability of funding for federal student loans in the next school year, with the goal of restoring the federal guaranteed student loan market to normal operations.  We are working on an expedited basis and will make further announcements in the coming weeks."  FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2008/10/10102008.html. (Note: A dedicated agency web site, http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/ffelp/, provides key guidance regarding the authority to purchase loans.) · NEW -- The Department published in the Federal Register final regulations for Title IV student loan programs, as amended by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (see http://edlabor.house.gov/micro/ccraa.shtml). These regulations address, among other issues, income-based repayment plans, public service loan forgiveness, economic hardship deferments, and military deferments.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/finrule/2008-4/102308a.html · NEW --The Department's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has unveiled results from the 2005 school crime supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey.  Data is presented on the prevalence and type of student victimization at school (4% of students ages 12-18 reported they were victims of any crime at school), selected characteristics of victims, and the availability of drugs and presence of gangs and weapons.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2009306 · NEW -- The Secretary issued final interpretations for several provisions of Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act.  In particular, she interprets provisions related to the annual administration of English language proficiency assessments to limited English proficient (LEP) students served by Title III, the establishment and implementation of annual measurable achievement objectives for states and subgrantees receiving Title III funds, and state and local implementation of Title III accountability provisions.  Department officials made adjustments to the proposed interpretations based on comments submitted by states and other interested parties.  FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO http://www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/other/2008-4/101708a.html. · NEW-- The National Endowment for the Arts' The Big Read, now in its fourth year, provides citizens with the chance to read and discuss a single book within their communities.  Libraries, municipalities, and non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for one of approximately 400 grants that will be awarded for programming between September 2009 and June 2010.  The deadline for applications is February 3.  Aside from a $2,500 to $20,000 grant and financial support to attend an orientation meeting, communities will receive many resources, including reader's and teacher's guides and audio guides with commentary from artists, educators, and notable public figures.  FOR MORE INFORMATION,  GO TO http://www.neabigread.org/. NEW -- The National Endowment for the Humanities recently extended the deadline (to November 14) for the second round of Picturing America applications. This initiative promotes the study, teaching, and understanding of U.S. history and culture by introducing students and the general public to America's art treasures.  It supplies schools and public libraries with free, high-quality reproductions of 40 great American works of art (approximately 24" x 36" in size) and an illustrated teacher resource book with notes for all grade levels.  The materials will be delivered in spring 2009.  FOR MORE INFORMATION,  GO TO http://picturingamerica.neh.gov/. NEW -- Through December 19, elementary and secondary students, teachers, administrators, and parents from across the nation have the opportunity to share their ideas and opinions on how technology should be used in the education process, through Project Tomorrow's sixth annual Speak Up survey.  Results are shared with participating schools so they can use the data for planning and community discussions.  Results are also used by government agencies and various organizations to inform new programs and policies.  FOR MORE INFORMATION,  GO TO http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/. Job Opportunities · MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "ent.groundspring.org" claiming to be The Collaborative Communications Group is hiring a Director of Content and Publishing to oversee multiple concurrent print publications, Web sites and interactive tools, as well as print, electronic and video documentation reports. The Director of Content and Publishing will manage a team of electronic and print product designers, writers and editors, while also leveraging the talents of numerous freelancers. The position reports to the firm’s partners, and the Director is part of the firm’s Leadership Team. In addition to serving client needs, the Director will execute a content strategy that reflects Collaborative Communication’s position in the marketplace and promotes the character and brand of our strategic objectives. This full-time, on-site position includes several capacities: Product developer. Oversee product development process for print products and tools that provide state-of-art technologies and knowledge; Team builder. Ability to build, manage, develop and lead teams, including client engagement and engagement of client networks, as well as staff and consultants; Information architect. Experience organizing and structuring complex and elegant Web sites and publications; Writer/Editor. Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills in a variety of formats; Quality controller. Review and approve print and electronic content before it is published or posted to ensure accuracy and that all products meet client and firm expectations for quality. Build and manage internal systems for efficient delivery of quality; Business and market developer. Ability to identify and leverage business development opportunities. Ability to position products for use, not just distribution, to track that use and to incorporate insights into client and firm strategy; and Entrepreneur. Ability to envision and develop new products, tools and markets. QUALIFICATIONS include: MA, MFA, MBA and/or seven years of experience in print and electronic publication, tool and product development, management, writing, editing and communications; Commitment to public education and an understanding of education issues, particularly related to an understanding of issues regarding leadership, teacher quality, out of school time, literacy, community and parent engagement, arts education, early childhood education, data-based decision making and secondary school reform; Excellent project manager with orientations toward superior customer-service and consistent delivery of quality, systems thinking and problem-solving; Superior written and oral communications capabilities and some broader communications experience beyond publishing (i.e., events organization, web management, etc.); Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and mentor staff; lead team projects and work in a team environment; Management skills should include the ability to manage multiple projects each on varying timelines; see and implement methods, protocols and standards for improvement of the practice; make decisions effectively that are consistent with firm values and behaviors regarding quality delivery, budgets, timelines and professional development of staff; and Willingness and ability to travel when needed.  Salary will be commensurate with experience. TO APPLY:  Please visit http://www.collaborativecommunications.com to find more information about Collaborative Communications Group’s corporate capabilities, philosophy, practice areas and client base. Collaborative believes in the power of diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.  Please combine a cover letter and resume into a single file and send to Search, Director of Content & Publishing, by October 31, 2008. No phone calls please. Applications can be sent via:  Email:  info@collaborativecommunications.com; Fax:        202-986-4958; or Mail:Collaborative Communications Group, Inc., 1029 Vermont Ave, NW, , Ninth Floor, Washington, DC 20005 · Learning Point Associates is seeking a Senior Policy Associate to contribute to and lead challenging high-profile work in educator quality, as well as guide staff on performance and project development. The position’s primary office location is in our Washington, DC, office and will require up to 25 percent travel (local and national). Learning Point Associates is working to ensure that all of the pieces are in place—from teacher preparation and mentoring programs to professional development and compensation—to help teachers be the best they can be and make a difference for every child.  Through our partnership in the National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality and our contributions to the Center for Educator Compensation Reform, Learning Point Associates staff works to do the following:  identify gaps and compile sources on teacher shortages, mobility, and quality ; convene education leaders to address emerging policy issues; conduct rigorous research studies to transform policy and practice; evaluate teacher quality initiatives; and provide online teacher quality resources. The individual’s responsibilities include:  Manage projects with national implications and be responsible for new project development, and supervising two to three staff members; Lead policy research and evaluation projects in educator quality, collaborate with other researchers and subject-matter experts, and serve as a mentor to staff in reporting, interpreting, and documenting study results; Develop and maintain networks of contacts in state and national policy organizations; Lead and facilitate state and national conversations on education topics focusing on teacher quality and leadership; Influence the public conversation on teacher quality and leadership by writing for peer-reviewed publications, submitting commentaries, presenting at national conferences, and responding to requests by the education media; Collaborate with other senior staff on project management, financial management, quality assurance, or business development; Provide guidance and coaching to assigned staff related to performance and career development; and Lead team in writing proposals, grants, and evaluation reports. Qualifications include: Master's degree in education policy, leadership, education evaluation, research methods, psychology, or related field required; doctorate degree preferred; Minimum of 5 years of project and staff management experience; Significant experience in the education policy arena; Demonstrated knowledge of the main issues facing teachers and school leaders working in high-needs schools and districts; Demonstrated knowledge of the main issues facing federal and state policymakers working to develop educator quality policy solutions; Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills for use in conducting education policy research and/or evaluations; Strong knowledge of SPSS; Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; and the Internet; Strong communication skills, both written and oral; familiarity with American Psychological Association (APA) style preferred; Ability to work in a collaborative, team-based environment both with staff internally and other individuals externally, prioritizing multiple objectives to meet project deadlines; and Strong communication/presentation skills with the ability to work with a variety of constituencies as well as to provide guidance and supervision to internal staff.  To be considered, include a cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and a writing sample of 3 to 5 pages of your analytic work. Please send your writing sample to recruitment@learningpt.org. · Project Director, Home Visiting, The Pew Charitable Trusts -- The Pew Charitable Trusts has begun a search for the Project Director, Home Visiting Project, in the Pew Center on the States, a division of The Pew Charitable Trusts.  The Pew Center on the States (PCS) works to advance state polices that serve the public interest.  The project director could start immediately and will be in place for an initial 18 months through March 2010, with the potential for renewal pending the success of the initial stage and board decisions on continued support for an additional 3 1/2 years.   The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing the home visiting strategy and accountable for accomplishing its goals, supervising project staff and managing the day to day administration of the initiative.  The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience that demonstrates a high level of understanding of early childhood policy, including working with state policy makers, researchers, advocates and other stakeholders.  Excellent knowledge of the current trends, principal theories, leading thinkers, evidence base, major concerns and climate for change in the field also required. Bachelor’s degree is required, and an advanced degree in public policy or other relevant field is preferred.  The position is located in Washington, D.C. and is open until filled.   Pew offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits package including four weeks vacation, a generous 401(k) plan and flexible benefit options.  For application instructions and to view the full job description candidates are invited to visit the Careers@Pew page on our Web site at www.pewtrusts.org. · e-Luminate Group has two jobs: 1. MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.pewtrusts.org" claiming to be Seeking an experienced, energetic PR professional to join our team as a Senior Account Executive. Candidates must have 5-7 years experience developing strategic communications plans, leading accounts, managing client relationships and delivering solid results.  The ideal candidate is a self-starter who has superior critical thinking skills, exercises good judgment, is a creative, ‘out-of the-box’ thinker, and has excellent writing and interpersonal skills.  Must be a self-starter and multi-tasker, have excellent communications skills and work well in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.  e-Luminate Group is a leading education consulting firm, and our Marketing Communications team is growing!  Our team has a powerful combination of industry expertise, marketing-savvy and PR know-how. We represent some of the most well-known companies in the education arena.  Requirements: Bachelors degree in Journalism, Communications, PR or related field. Agency experience preferred! Salary is commensurate with experience; includes attractive benefits package.  For more information, please visit our Web site: www.e-luminategroup.com. How to apply:  Please submit resumes to: jobs@eluminategroup.com. Applicants should send a detailed cover letter describing their profile and include a resume. References will be required. 2. Seeking an experienced, energetic PR professional to join our team as an Account Supervisor.  Candidates must have strong managerial experience and a successful track record of managing accounts, leading teams and delivering solid results.  As Account Supervisor, you will cultivate and manage relationships with clients, participate in business development and support organizational initiatives. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who has superior critical thinking skills, exercises good judgment, is a creative, ‘out-of the-box’ thinker, and has excellent writing and interpersonal skills.  Must work well in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.  Qualifications: Bachelors degree in Journalism, communications, PR or related field, a minimum of 7 years of PR/Marketing/Communications experience, self-starter and highly motivated, ability to balance strategy with execution, outstanding organization skills, creative and pragmatic thinker, excellent communication and presentation skills, and ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment. Please submit resumes to: jobs@eluminategroup.com. Applicants should send a detailed cover letter describing their profile and include a resume. References will be required. · Director, Public Policy, ASCD has an exciting opportunity for a Director of Public Policy. This position directs the Association’s efforts to influence education decision-making and policy development at the local, state, and federal levels and is responsible for the development and implementation of ASCD’s legislative agenda.  The successful candidate must have extensive knowledge of current and emerging policy issues in education coupled with a strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes.  Experience working with federal, state, or local policy makers is required. Strong writing and public speaking experience are critical along with the ability to synthesize legislative and budget information and communicate it to practicing educators. Public education experience is highly desirable and should include 5-10 years experience in advocacy work.   A degree in public policy, education, or government relations is preferred; a graduate degree is a plus. For more information, check out our website at www.ascd.org .  To express interest, send your resume and cover letter to HR@ascd.org  Subject:  Director Public Policy · The Education Testing Service (ETS) is hiring a federal and state policy analyst to manage the government relations activities specific to federal and state areas as assigned. Responsibilities include monitoring and analyzing legislation, building relationships with decision makers and stakeholders, and seeking to promote ETS’s business and policy interests.  Seeking applicants with 3-5 years experience in government relations and federal and state policy analysis within education sector. Strong writing and communication skills also required.  If interested, please apply through ETS's website at http://ets.pereless.com/careers/index.cfm?fuseaction=83080.viewjobdetail&CID=83080&JID=64227&type=main&cfcend · MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "ets.pereless.com" claiming to be Revised Description:  The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) seeks an individual to be a Director of Public Relations, an important member of the team responsible for advancing the association’s advocacy agenda, and help to support the “national voice” of the organization. Position requires serving as public information and media contact; responding to media inquiries; working with reporters and media representatives to generate news stories that meet organization’s mission.  The job requires the individual to have a bachelor’s degree in communications or a related field and 5+ years of experience in the field.  Starting salary is mid $70s to mid $80s with excellent benefits package.   To apply send resume, cover letter and salary history to:  NASSP/HR, 1904 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191, beasleyb@principals.org .  The job responsibilities include:  Provide public relations support to NASSP staff, board members, and constituents as required.; Draft corporate communications and public relations vehicles, including position statements, speeches, press kits, feature stories, op-eds, news releases, etc.\ ; Attend and report back on meetings of importance to the association; Work closely with the various program offices to develop public relations tools and materials to promote NASSP programs, publications, products, partnership activities, scholarships, and awards programs; Serve as a public information and media contact; respond to media inquiries, provide background research and information as requested; work with reporters and media representatives to generate news stories that meet the mission of NASSP. · The Data Quality Campaign (DQC) is seeking to add 3 staff members to our high energy, productive and fun team.  We are looking for individuals who are passionate, motivated and eager to promote how data can improve student achievement and inform critical issues in the P-20 arena.  All three positions require strong research, writing, presentation, communication, and  organizational skills; positions may be located in Washington, DC, Austin, TX, or Minneapolis, MN All 3 postings at:  http://www.act.org/humanresources/index.html .  The positions are:  1) MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.act.org" claiming to be Senior Program Manager  for Early Learning and Postsecondary Data:  http://www.act.org/humanresources/jobs/0911-540.html. This senior position will help develop the strategy and manage the efforts of the DQC to expedite the development and use of longitudinal data systems linked across the knowledge supply chain to help improve the rigor, relevance and results of P-20 education and increase career and college readiness of every student.  2) MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.act.org" claiming to be K-12 Program Associate http://www.act.org/humanresources/jobs/0911-538.html:  will develop resources, tools, presentations to assist the development, growth and use of longitudinal data as it pertains to vital issues in K-12 education, including teacher quality, college readiness, academic growth, graduation rates. 3) MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.act.org" claiming to be PreK/Postsecondary Program Associate http://www.act.org/humanresources/jobs/0911-539.html:  will focus on improving the quality, linkages and use of data among postsecondary, early learning and other critical systems impacting student achievement.  MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.act.org" claiming to be The Data Quality Campaign is a national, collaborative effort to encourage and support state policymakers to improve the collections, availability and use of high-quality education data and to implement state longitudinal data systems to improve student achievement.  The campaign aims to provide tools and resources that will assist state development of quality longitudinal data systems, while providing a national forum for reducing duplication of effort and promoting greater coordination and consensus among the organization focusing on improving data quality, access and use.  The DQC has 14 Managing Partners and numerous Endorsing Partners.  The campaign is managed by the National Center for Educational Achievement.  Visit www.DataQualityCampaign.org for more information.  · MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.dataqualitycampaign.org" claiming to be MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.dataqualitycampaign.org" claiming to be Hope Street Group (www.hopestreetgroup.org) is hiring an Education Project Director to spearhead the launch, management and implementation of the organization’s K-12 education transformation platform, which is focused on developing solutions around reforming our K-12 education system with a smart federal catalyst role.  Responsibilities include connecting our national platform to a grassroots movement, research, networking, grassroots mobilization, events organization, and communication responsibilities.  The Director will have the opportunity to work with a diverse group of outside experts and researchers along with key policymakers at the federal, state, and local level, executing strategies to effectively mobilize coalitions and communicate ideas to policymakers, educators, the media, and other key audiences.  The Director’s ultimate goal will be to implement innovative educational reform strategies and ideas, leading to a direct impact on education policy and practice. This position requires 7-10 years experience in conducting education policy analysis, research, other equivalent experience in a similar field or educational organization, as well as experience in grassroots mobilization efforts.  The successful candidate will possess exemplary writing, research, and analytical skills.  Outstanding communications and relationship- building skills are essential. Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline oriented, dynamic environment with multiple ongoing responsibilities and very high expectations for quality of work.  The ability to work both independently and collaboratively on multiple projects and tasks is essential.  To apply, please send a resume, two writing samples, and a cover letter detailing what makes you a good candidate for this position to careers@hopestreetgroup.org. No phone calls please. · The Rural School and Community Trust is seeking an energetic executive as its new President.  Rachel Tompkins, longtime leader and advocate is retiring June 2009. This national advocacy and professional development organization works with a network of rural schools and community groups.  The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial individual who has a proven track record of leadership, creativity, vision, and managerial oversight. The President assumes the overall responsibility for all aspects of fundraising, programs and services, budgeting, staffing, and execution of policy initiatives.  Reporting to the Board of Trustees, the President serves as lead spokesperson for the organization and works externally to develop relationships with diverse stakeholders, including partnering organizations, funders, and the general public. Graduate degree in a related field is required.  Send cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to Search Committee, Dr. James B. Beddow 2522 W. 41St Street #385 Sioux Falls, SD 57105 or email to jim.beddow@rlcenter.net.   For a complete announcement, visit the Rural Trust’s website www.ruraledu.org   Closing date: October 31, 2008. · MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "www.ruraledu.org" claiming to be Leadership (IEL) is seeking an energetic executive to partner with the Board and staff and lead IEL to greater accomplishments as it advocates for and promotes better education and better futures for all of America’s children.  The Board seeks a leader who will build on the lessons of IEL’s broad experience to chart a course that powerfully positions the organization to increase its voice and presence in the efforts to build an education system for the 21st century.  IEL’s work, conducted through impartial, dynamic networks and partnerships with diverse individuals and organizations, addresses issues whose resolution “make or break” improved outcomes for children and youth.  The work is focused in three primary issue areas:  1) developing and supporting leaders; (2) connecting schools, families, and communities; and (3) improving the policies and systems serving children and youth.  The President assumes the overall responsibility for all aspects of fundraising, programs and services, budgeting, staffing, and execution of policy initiatives.  Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President serves as lead spokesperson for the organization and leads the fundraising and resource development work.  Working externally to develop relationships with diverse stakeholders, including partner organizations and funders, is an essential part of the President’s role. TO APPLY:  IEL has retained TransitionGuides to assist in identifying and recruiting candidates for this position.  E-mail cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to: IEL@transitionguides.com.  For more information and a complete description of IEL’s history, programs and services, visit www.iel.org.