CEC Policy Insider

PDK/Gallup Annual Poll Shows Disconnect Between Parents Hopes for Students and Actual Outcomes

American parents overwhelmingly -- and more than any other time in history -- want their  children to attend college, according to an annual poll jointly conducted by Gallup and Phi Delta Kappa International. The PDK/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools has been conducted since 1969. The 2010 findings are based on telephone interviews conducted in June 2010 with a national sample of 1,008 American adults.

This year, approximately 92% of parents stated they believe their child will attend college. Unfortunately, the reality is that probably only 30% will begin college and even less will graduate. Although the Poll did not distinguish between parents of students with and without disabilities, this overall finding again raises the issue that students with disabilities tend to drop out at twice the rate of students without disabilities. While that figure has dropped slightly over the last 10 years, it remains a significant concern.

Threats to Eliminate Federal Gifted Ed Funding Loom; Grassroots Action Critical

Over the last month, CEC’s Policy Insider has shared that Congress has taken significant steps to eliminate the one and only federal program focused on gifted education, the Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act. 

CEC members together with the National Association for Gifted Children are answering back by urging Congress to reinstate funding for the Jacob Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act.  Join educators, parents, and researchers from across the country in standing up for high-ability students! Taking action is easy and fast using CEC’s Legislative Action Center.

U.S. Department of Education Solicits Feedback on Priorities, Share Your Thoughts With CEC

As previously reported in CEC’s Policy Insider, the U.S. Department of Education is soliciting feedback on two sets of priorities: for its research agenda and for its discretionary grant programs.  These priorities will directly impact themes and focus areas within the Department. 

Earlier this summer, the Institute for Education Sciences – the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education – released its proposed research priorities which will guide the federal education research portfolio and impact the focus of research grants. Read more.

Race to the Top Winners Announced: What Will it Mean for Special and Gifted Education?

Just as students around the nation are heading back to school, U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan announced which of these student’s states won the Race to the Top and which lost: 9 states and the District of Columbia are the Race to the Top winners in Round Two.

Teachers: The Secretary of Education Wants To Hear From You!

This week, the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. is beginning a back to school bus tour to hold conversations with and honor America’s teachers. The Secretary will begin in Little Rock, Arkansas and be stopping in several cities in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine – just to start. Throughout the tour, Duncan will be visiting classrooms breaking ground in closing the achievement gap, early education, school nutrition and safety and teacher recruitment. Duncan will be joined by public school teachers now serving as U.S. Department of Education teaching fellows as well as local leaders.

All events are open to the public, if the Secretary is stopping in your school, let him know what a great job special educators in your district are doing!