President Obama's Plan to Make College More Affordable

Key points of this agenda include:

• Measuring college performance through a new ratings system, and subsequently tying federal aid to college performance.
• Promoting innovation and competition in the higher education market place by awarding credits based on learning, through competency-based programs; using technology to redesign courses and better student services; and further recognizing prior learning and dual enrollment credits.
• Helping student borrowers by extending pay as you earn policies to all student loans, capping loan payments at 10% of students' incomes, and by reaching out to borrowers regarding methods to pay their existing student loans.

Three States Receive Federal Money for Continuing Efforts to Turn Around Lowest Performing Schools

The Department of Education and Secretary Duncan recently awarded New Hampshire, Hawaii, and Idaho a total of $5.2 million in grants for their third year in working to turn around the states' lowest performing schools. These awards are part of the Scholarship Improvement Grant (SIG) efforts.

"When schools fail, our children, and our neighborhood suffer," Secretary Duncan said in a press release. "Turning around our lowest-performing schools is hard work but it's our responsibility. We owe it to our children, their families and the broader community. These School Improvement Grants are helping some of the lowest-achieving schools provide a better education for students who need it the most," he concluded.

Under the Obama administration, the SIG program has invested up to $2 million per school at more than 1,500 of the country's lowest-performing schools. Early findings show positive momentum and progress in many SIG schools. Findings also show some of the greatest gains have been in small towns and rural communities.

As the rate of students taking Advanced Placement (AP) tests increases, the U.S. Department of Education recently awarded 42 states grants to cover all but $10 of AP exam fees (based on anticipated number of test takers and other factors) for low income students. The number totals $28.8 million in grants.

"This Administration has taken unprecedented steps to boost college and career readiness for our young people, especially first-generation college goers," said Secretary Duncan. "Participation in Advanced Placement courses gives these students a jump start in college by challenging them to develop stronger study and critical-thinking skills. These grants will eliminate some financial roadblocks and enable more minority students to gain access to rigorous AP courses, which will help them succeed in today's knowledge economy."

Click here to read the full list of states awarded AP grants by the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Department of Education Mandates General Exams for Special Education Students

Click here to read the proposed regulation.   

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