http://www.mail.com/people/17094-arne-duncan.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.28/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/people/17094-arne-duncan.html http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2098604-education-department-3-waivers.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced on Monday that three more states would join the ranks of those given permission to ignore parts of the federal No Child Left Behind law in favor of their own school improvement plans. The addition of Alaska, Hawaii and West Virginia brings to 37 the number of states operating outside the Bush-era... Mon, 20 May 2013 19:12:19 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2098604-education-department-3-waivers.html 2013-05-20T19:12:19Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2070600-rural-wva-schools-rethink-their-role.html WAR, W.Va. (AP) — When school started here in the fall, 1 out of 7 classrooms was without a teacher; leaders couldn't recruit enough educators to this sparsely populated rural area at the southern tip of West Virginia. When officials turned on the mandatory security cameras at one elementary school, the rest of the building lost its Internet connection; t... Wed, 08 May 2013 07:31:01 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2070600-rural-wva-schools-rethink-their-role.html 2013-05-08T07:31:01Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2051864-budget-cuts-nix-90m-federal-college-aid.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Schools near military bases and tribal lands will face a $60 million shortfall between now and September and aid to college students will be cut by almost $90 million, according to the Education Department's plan to carry out the automatic spending cuts mandated by Congress. In all, the Education Department lost $2.6 billion as part of f... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 22:13:36 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/2051864-budget-cuts-nix-90m-federal-college-aid.html 2013-04-29T22:13:36Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2050330-per-student-pre-k-spending-lowest-decade.html WASHINGTON (AP) — State funding for pre-kindergarten programs had its largest drop ever last year and states are now spending less per child than they did a decade ago, according to a report released Monday. The researchers also found that more than a half million of those preschool students are in programs that don't even meet standards suggested by indu... Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:28:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/2050330-per-student-pre-k-spending-lowest-decade.html 2013-04-29T15:28:34Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1962960-graduation-rates-improve-ncaa-tournament-teams.html Overall graduation rates improved among players at schools in this year's men's NCAA basketball tournament, and African-American players in particular did better, according to a study released Monday. The annual report by the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) shows African-American players' graduation succ... Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:50:48 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1962960-graduation-rates-improve-ncaa-tournament-teams.html 2013-03-18T18:50:48Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1918202-americans-yawn-budget-cut-hype.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is pulling out all the stops to warn just what could happen if automatic budget cuts kick in. Americans are reacting with a collective yawn. They know the drill: Obama raises the alarm, Democrats and Republicans accuse each other of holding a deal hostage, there's a lot of yelling on cable news, and then finally, w... Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:24:54 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1918202-americans-yawn-budget-cut-hype.html 2013-02-27T21:24:54Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1915686-spin-meter-dubious-list-budget-horribles.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and his officials are doing their best to drum up public concern over the shock wave of spending cuts that could strike the government in just days. So it's a good time to be alert for sky-is-falling hype. Administration officials are coming forward with a grim compendium of jobs to be lost, services to be denied o... Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:48:34 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1915686-spin-meter-dubious-list-budget-horribles.html 2013-02-26T18:48:34Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1913492-obama-warns-risks-budget-cut-uncertainty.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Monday said looming automatic spending cuts are already affecting the economy, while a top administration official warned that the nation's borders would be less secure if billions of dollars are yanked from the budget Friday. "The uncertainty is already having an effect," Obama said. "Companies are preparing la... Tue, 26 Feb 2013 01:48:51 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1913492-obama-warns-risks-budget-cut-uncertainty.html 2013-02-26T01:48:51Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1911472-condemn-pending-budget-cuts-spread-blame.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House and Republicans kept up the unrelenting mudslinging Sunday over who's to blame for roundly condemned budget cuts set to take effect at week's end, with the administration detailing the potential fallout in each state and governors worrying about the mess. But as leaders rushed past each other to decry the potentially deva... Mon, 25 Feb 2013 04:20:21 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1911472-condemn-pending-budget-cuts-spread-blame.html 2013-02-25T04:20:21Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1908740-obama-hill-right-decisions-cuts.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama, intensifying pressure on congressional Republicans, said Friday that lawmakers still have "the opportunity to make the right decisions" and avert a series of mandatory budget cuts by March 1. Despite little sign of a deal emerging with Republicans, Obama said he does not believe it is inevitable that the $85 billi... Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:54:05 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1908740-obama-hill-right-decisions-cuts.html 2013-02-22T19:54:05Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1906668-education-considering-district-by-district-waivers.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Education Secretary Arne Duncan is talking with school districts about how to free them from unworkable parts of the federal No Child Left Behind law, signaling he is open to an approach he long tried to avoid. The Education Department has given 34 states and the District of Columbia permission to ignore parts of the Bush-era No Child Le... Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:55:57 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1906668-education-considering-district-by-district-waivers.html 2013-02-21T20:55:57Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1901792-commission-pre-k-poor-students-within-decade.html WASHINGTON (AP) — An Education Department commission is recommending pre-kindergarten programs for every poor student within 10 years, adding a timeframe to President Barack Obama's similar call to help the least advantaged arrive for their first day of classes as prepared as their counterparts from more affluent homes. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on ... Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:48:29 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1901792-commission-pre-k-poor-students-within-decade.html 2013-02-19T23:48:29Z http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1894080-budget-cut-impact-smaller-navy-fired-teachers.html What does smaller government look like? The budget standoff between President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans means Americans may soon find out, and the picture the Obama administration sketches is downright scary. Cuts in the Navy's Pacific operations of one-third. Furloughed food inspectors forcing nationwide closures of meat and poultry plan... Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:06:23 GMT http://www.mail.com/scitech/news/1894080-budget-cut-impact-smaller-navy-fired-teachers.html 2013-02-15T15:06:23Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1891150-obama-pushes-preschool-plan-wont-discuss-cost.html DECATUR, Ga. (AP) — Raising hopes among parents who want preschool for all, President Barack Obama on Thursday rolled out a plan to vastly expand government-funded early childhood while keeping the price tag a secret. Republicans, wary of high costs and questionable outcomes, made clear they have no intention of signing a blank check. Setting up yet anoth... Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:54:50 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1891150-obama-pushes-preschool-plan-wont-discuss-cost.html 2013-02-14T21:54:50Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1891936-womens-security-raised-american-indian-leader.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The president of the National Congress of American Indians urged the House on Thursday to pass the Violence Against Women Act so Native Americans and Alaska Natives can "protect their own people and surrounding communities against brutality." Jefferson Keel's appeal followed Senate passage on Tuesday of the act that continues to allow fu... Thu, 14 Feb 2013 20:44:41 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1891936-womens-security-raised-american-indian-leader.html 2013-02-14T20:44:41Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1887182-study-nclb-waiver-weaken-grad-rate-accountability.html Many states granted waivers from the No Child Left Behind law are relaxing or ignoring federal regulations designed to hold schools accountable for the number of students who graduate from high school on time, according to a new study released Tuesday. When No Child Left Behind was signed into law in 2002, states used so many different ways to calculate g... Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:05:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1887182-study-nclb-waiver-weaken-grad-rate-accountability.html 2013-02-12T19:05:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1882012-2-custody-connection-to-chicago-teens-death.html CHICAGO (AP) — Two men were taken into custody Sunday as "persons of interest" in the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old Chicago girl, a Chicago police spokeswoman said. Chicago Police Department spokeswoman Melissa Stratton said the two men, ages 18 and 20, were taken into custody early Sunday morning and are being questioned. She said no charges have been ... Sun, 10 Feb 2013 22:57:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1882012-2-custody-connection-to-chicago-teens-death.html 2013-02-10T22:57:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1875616-michelle-obama-to-attend-chicago-girls-funeral.html WASHINGTON (AP) — A White House official says Michelle Obama will attend Saturday's funeral for the 15-year-old Chicago girl who was killed after returning home from performing during inauguration festivities for President Barack Obama. Hadiya Pendleton was killed in a park close to the Obamas' home on Chicago's South Side. Police say a gunman hopped a fe... Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:22:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1875616-michelle-obama-to-attend-chicago-girls-funeral.html 2013-02-07T19:22:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1874316-white-house-allies-produce-preschool-for-all-plan.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before President Barack Obama outlines his agenda for the coming year, a think tank with close ties to the White House is outlining a plan that would provide preschool for all children within five years. The Center for American Progress proposal, released Thursday, provides a road map for how the Obama administration could move forw... Thu, 07 Feb 2013 07:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1874316-white-house-allies-produce-preschool-for-all-plan.html 2013-02-07T07:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1868454-obama-stands-firm-gun-control-despite-long-odds.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — President Barack Obama declared Monday on his first trip outside Washington to promote gun control that a consensus is emerging for universal background checks for purchasers, though he conceded a tough road lay ahead to pass an assault weapons ban over formidable opposition in Congress. "We should restore the ban on military-style assa... Mon, 04 Feb 2013 22:34:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1868454-obama-stands-firm-gun-control-despite-long-odds.html 2013-02-04T22:34:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/us/1865520-school-turnarounds-prompt-community-backlash.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — The federal government's push for drastic reforms at chronically low achieving schools has led to takeovers by charter operators, overhauls of staff and curriculum, and even school shutdowns across the country. It's also generated a growing backlash among the mostly low-income, minority communities where some see the reforms as not only... Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:02:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/us/1865520-school-turnarounds-prompt-community-backlash.html 2013-02-03T20:02:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1856680-reset-familiar-faces-obamas-2nd-term-team.html President Barack Obama is much of the way through completing his second-term Cabinet and top White House staff. For many of those chosen so far, it's been a game of musical chairs. Same faces, new places. He nominated Jack Lew — his chief of staff and earlier his budget director — to be Treasury secretary. To fill the chief-of-staff opening, the presiden... Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:55:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/finance/1856680-reset-familiar-faces-obamas-2nd-term-team.html 2013-01-30T15:55:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1851628-obama-honors-nba-champion-miami-heat.html WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama honored the Miami Heat for winning the 2012 NBA Championship title after falling short just a year before. "Everybody doing their part, is what finally put the Heat over the top," Obama said, as he welcomed the team to the White House Monday to celebrate their victory. The Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in... Mon, 28 Jan 2013 20:18:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1851628-obama-honors-nba-champion-miami-heat.html 2013-01-28T20:18:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1847462-thousands-march-gun-control-washington.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Thousands of people, many holding signs with names of gun violence victims and messages such as "Ban Assault Weapons Now," joined a rally for gun control on Saturday, marching from the Capitol to the Washington Monument. Leading the crowd were marchers with "We Are Sandy Hook" signs, paying tribute to victims of the December school shoot... Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1847462-thousands-march-gun-control-washington.html 2013-01-26T18:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1845186-schools-provide-sports-disabled-us.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Students with disabilities must be given a fair shot to play on a traditional sports team or have their own leagues, the Education Department says. Disabled students who want to play for their school could join traditional teams if officials can make "reasonable modifications" to accommodate them. If those adjustments would fundamentally... Fri, 25 Jan 2013 07:32:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1845186-schools-provide-sports-disabled-us.html 2013-01-25T07:32:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1844942-sports-civil-disabled-us.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Breaking new ground, the U.S. Education Department is telling schools they must include students with disabilities in sports programs or provide equal alternative options. The directive, reminiscent of the Title IX expansion of athletic opportunities for women, could bring sweeping changes to school budgets and locker rooms for years to come. ... Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:09:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/other/1844942-sports-civil-disabled-us.html 2013-01-25T04:09:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1836740-study-high-school-grad-rate-highest-76.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation's high school graduation rate is the highest since 1976, but more than a fifth of students are still failing to get their diploma in four years, the Education Department said in a study released Tuesday. Officials said the steady rise of students completing their education is a reflection of the struggling economy and a greate... Tue, 22 Jan 2013 04:15:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1836740-study-high-school-grad-rate-highest-76.html 2013-01-22T04:15:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/world/1828374-duncan-hard-to-teach-kids-scared-killed.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Too many students worry more about being killed by a gun than learning in the classroom, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said on Thursday, as he cautioned that firearms alone do not make schools safer. In an interview with The Associated Press, Duncan said that he understands the urgent concerns over school safety in the wake of last mon... Thu, 17 Jan 2013 22:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/world/1828374-duncan-hard-to-teach-kids-scared-killed.html 2013-01-17T22:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1819992-obama-deflects-criticism-lack-diversity.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Deflecting criticism about a perceived lack of diversity in his second-term Cabinet, President Barack Obama on Monday urged Americans not to rush to judgment about who he will appoint to replace departing members of his team. In a declaration tinged with the rhetoric of his re-election campaign, Obama asserted: "We're not going backwards... Mon, 14 Jan 2013 23:34:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1819992-obama-deflects-criticism-lack-diversity.html 2013-01-14T23:34:00Z