CEC Policy Insider

U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellowship Program: Now Accepting Applications

The U.S. Department of Education is now accepting applications for the fifth cohort of Teaching Ambassador Fellows. The application process opened on January 21, and will close on February 22. The Teaching Ambassador program is highly competitive and allows teachers who have demonstrated leadership, communication skills and education policy insight to work with the Department on a full or part time basis. By including teachers in policy decisions through this program, the Department includes the stakeholders with the most direct interaction with students.

The program is designed to give teachers insights into Department policy that they can then take back to their schools. Teaching Ambassadors are intended to facilitate discussion and conversation about Department policies and how they affect students, teachers and schools across the country. Through three separate year long courses, the Teaching Ambassador program provides a variety of ways for teachers to get involved. In the Washington Fellowship, teachers work full time for the Department at headquarters in Washington D.C. As a Classroom Fellow, teachers work on a part time basis with the regional U.S. Department of Education office. Through the newest addition, the Regional Fellowship program allows participants to work full time with a regional office.

You can find more information about the application process and the individual programs at the Department of Education website, or on U.S.A. Jobs.

Congressmen Respond to the President’s State of the Union

On Wednesday, we featured CEC’s response to President Obama’s third State of the Union Address. In addition to our response, here are several other responses from prominent members of Congress that are relevant to the education community. These responses can help you frame questions and talking points for the upcoming opportunities for advocacy, available across social networking platforms.

Representative Kline’s Response
Rhetoric vs. Action: State of the Union Promises and the House Republican Agenda

Senator Harkin’s Response

Representative Rehberg’s Response

Representative Delauro’s Response

Senator Enzi’s Response

Representative Miller’s Response

The State of the Union: Education is a Priority

Last night, President Obama delivered his third State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress. In a much anticipated speech, the President focused sharply on the need for more investment in education and more support for teachers nationwide.

CEC’s Executive Director Bruce Ramirez commented on the speech and stated, “CEC applauds President Obama for making investment in education a priority and his acknowledgement that ‘teachers work tirelessly, with modest pay, sometimes digging into their own pocket for school supplies – just to make a difference.’  That is certainly true of CEC’s some 33,000 members, special educators who have devoted themselves to improving the lives of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.” To read Dr. Ramirez’s full statement click here.

Tell the White House what you think!

Later this week, there will be more opportunities to reach out the administration. OnFriday, January 27 at 9:00 AM EST Kareem Dale, Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy, will be answering questions on Twitter via #WHChat. At 12:00 PM EST, that same day Roberto Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the President for Education Policy will do the same. You can follow along with either discussion through the @WHLive twitter account.

Finally, on Monday, January 30, President Obama will host a Google+ Hangout, which is a live, multi-person video chat. You can submit questions for that via theWhite House YouTube channel, where you can also vote for your favorite questions. The deadline for submission is Sunday, January 28 at midnight ET.

Obama Administration Announces New Nomination to Department of Education

On Monday, President Obama announced his intent to nominate several new appointees to various departments and agencies. Included among this list was Deborah Delisle, who will be nominated for the position of Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education in the Department of Education.

Ms. Delisle began her education career as an elementary school teacher in the 1970s. Since then she has served in a variety of administrative positions including Director of Academic Services, Director of Curriculum and Professional Development, and Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Programs, culminating in her tenure as the state Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Ohio Department of Education from 2008 to 2011.  Ms. Delisle has served on several education boards, including the Governing Board of the Minority Student Achievement Network, Executive Board of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the Council of Chief State School Officers Executive Board. 

CEC looks forward to working with Ms.Delisle to ensure that children and youth with exceptionalities receive a quality education.

Obama Administration Commemorates 75 Years of the Federal Randolph-Sheppard Fending Facility Program

This week, the Obama Administration celebrated the 75^th anniversary of the Federal Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program. This program, administered by the Department of Education, mandates that all Federal properties give priority to blind entrepreneurs for vending facilities. Today, this program provides opportunities for over 2,500 people who are blind, who in turn provide employment opportunities for thousands of others, many of whom have disabilities. Through this program thousands of creative and talented individuals with disabilities have received training in business and management arenas.