Department of Education Hosts Summer Seminars at Six: An Introduction to Education Policy

Are you interested in learnign more about education policy? The Department of Education is providing a great and free way to learn more.

Summer Seminars at Six: An Introduction to Education Policy

The seminars are designed to share information about education policy that will help teachers to be engaged and participate in policy discussions at the federal, state and district level. Led by teachers working at the Department, along with other staff, there will be opportunities for questions and discussion both in person and online.

Dates: Every other Thursday:  July14, July 28, August 11 and August 25.

Time:  6:00 PM ET-7:00 PM ET

Location: U.S. Department of Education’s LBJ Building (400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20202) and online through U-Stream.

An ED 101 Primer, Thursday, July 14. Questions to be answered include: 

• What is the mission or purpose of the U.S. Department of Education?H
• How is education funded in the United States? 
• What is the organizational structure of ED, and where can I go for help with my issue? 
• What is Title I and how does it work?

Who’s on First? State and Federal Roles and Responsibilities for Education, Thursday, July 28. Questions to be answered include:

• What are the states’ and the federal government’s responsibilities for education? 
• What is the Common Core?   
• What are the primary ED funding streams and competitive programs? 
•  What is Race to the Top and how does it support teachers and students?

Fixing What’s Broken in No Child Left Behind, Thursday, August, 11. Questions to be answered include:

• The Elementary and Secondary Education Act and No Child Left Behind—same or different?W
• What problems are teachers, schools, and states having with NCLB? 
• In their Blueprint for Reform, what do President Obama and Secretary Duncan propose to do to fix what is not working in NCLB? 
• What does the Blueprint propose with regard to testing? 
• What is the federal School Improvement Grant program for low-performing schools and how might it affect my school or state?

Leading Their Profession: Teachers and Education Policy, Thursday, August 25. Questions to be answered include:  

• What are ED’s proposals for strengthening teaching and supporting teachers? 
• What does the Blueprint say about teacher evaluations?  
• What can teachers do to get involved in educational issues both at the national level and in their state or district? 
• What are the Teacher Incentive Fund and Title II?

Register to attend the Summer Seminars at the U.S. Department of Education or to view the Summer Seminars online through U-Stream