QA U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID

Calendar ED PUBS The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

July 25
White House Faith-Based
& G L O S S A R Y
P.O. BOX 1398
JESSUP, MD 20794-1398
EDUCATION
Permit NO. G-17 The U.S.
and Community Initiatives OFFICIAL BUSINESS VOL.5, NO.6 JULY/AUGUST 2006
PRESORTED DEPARTMENT
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 OF
Conference, Austin, Texas, been previously enrolled in a program of FIRST CLASS EDUCATION
undergraduate education; second-year stu-
sponsored by a consortium
dents must have had at least a cumulative
of federal agencies, including What federal grants are 3.0 grade point average (GPA) during their VOL.5, NO.6 JULY/AUGUST 2006 www.ed.gov
the U.S. Department of Educa- available for college students? first year of college. Based on information
tion. This regional meeting for provided on the Free Application for Federal
Science Score Gains Made on
T
o meet the growing need for improved Student Aid, potentially eligible students Younger Students Show Highest
grassroots leaders will provide will be contacted by July 1.
math and science instruction, Presi-
information about federal
grant opportunities.
dent George W. Bush recently signed
into law two new grant programs for
college students: the Academic Competi-
For upper-level students, SMART grants
of up to $4,000 will be awarded to third-
and fourth-year college students who major
Achievement Over Last Decade
Nation’s Report Card
T
Registration deadline is July 19. he latest results on the Nation’s Report lower-income students narrowed the achievement
tiveness Grant and the Science and in mathematics, science, technology, engi-
For more information, visit Card show that students at the elemen- gap since 2000. I N S I D E
Mathematics Access to Retain Talent neering or critical foreign languages at
tary school level have made remarkable > Scores for 12th-graders remained unchanged
www.fbci.gov or call (SMART) Grant. The president has budgeted a four-year degree-granting institution.
progress in science compared to those in since the last assessment, but are lower than
202-456-6718. $790 million for the 2006–07 academic Students must have at least a cumulative
the upper grades. in 1996. However, the gap in achieve- 2 Spellings Gives Texas Tech
year, and $4.5 billion over five years, to 3.0 GPA in college.
The 2005 National Assessment ment between black and white Commencement Speech
provide financial aid to college students Visit www.ed.gov and click on “About
of Educational Progress (NAEP) students has widened since 2000.
who are: 1) eligible for federal Pell grants; ED,” then “Priorities,” for more information Around the Country—
tested the science skills of a rep- “These NAEP results provide
September 2) United States citizens; and 3) enrolled about student eligibility for the American
resentative sample of more than further evidence that accountabil- New York and North Carolina
full-time. Competitiveness Initiative grant programs.
Library Card Sign-Up Month, 300,000 students in grades 4, 8 ity and assessments are working
5 Calendar
sponsored by the American
Academic Competitiveness grants will
( and 12. Released in May of this to raise achievement levels, even

(
be awarded to first- and second-year college year by the U.S. Department of in subjects not directly tested Q&A—Federal Grants for
Library Association. Launched students who have completed a rigorous pell grant: a federal grant Education’s National Center for under the No Child Left Behind College Students
in 1987, this observance brings secondary school program. Qualifying stu- Education Statistics, national find- Act,” said U.S. Secretary of Education
that provides funds to undergraduate
dents would receive up to $750 for the first ings since the previous assessments in Margaret Spellings. Furthermore, she Education News Parents
national attention to using the
year of study and up to $1,300 for the sec- students based on financial need. Can Use
local library as a source of life- 1996 and 2000 revealed: added that the results prove the need to
ond year. First-year students must not have > Fourth-grade students scored higher than in expand those accountability provisions more in
time learning. Visit www.ala.org Teaching, Assessing Students With Disabilities either previous year, and lower-performing the nation’s high schools.
6 Teaching, Assessing
Students With Disabilities
and click on “Events and students made the largest gains since 2000. The report also presents state results for
Conferences,” or call toll-free > Eighth-graders’ overall performance remained grades 4 and 8. Although most states showed no
News Show Looks Back on Spring Season unchanged from either previous year; gains by improvement in these grades, five of the

I
1-800-545-2433. n striving to help all students achieve to the challenges schools are facing in
to high standards, the U.S. Department instruction, assessment, accommodations

E
necessary for them to grow into healthy, > continued on page 2
ducation News Parents Can Use, the
U.S. Department of Education’s monthly productive adults. of Education recently released a new and behavioral interventions. This colorful U.S. Department of Education Plugging Into the World
television program, wrapped up the In April, the focus shifted to another topic tool kit to assist school leaders in fully publication—replete with charts, tables and 400 Maryland Ave., S.W.

September 8 spring season with its June edition, “Child

Health and Nutrition,” which highlighted
of particular interest to America’s families. The
show examined how excellence in teaching is
implementing the accountability provisions
of the No Child Left Behind Act for students
illustrations—includes:
> Testimonials by educators who have
Washington, DC 20202

The Achiever is a monthly publication

Technology School Introduces World Studies Program
International Literacy Day,
sponsored by the United
national and local programs that encourage
children to eat right and exercise. The show
at the core of the nation’s long-term competi-
tiveness, with a videotaped story of IBM’s
with disabilities as well as those of the
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.
successfully used alternate assessments;
> Sound practices for systematically monitor-
for parents and community leaders from
the Office of Communications and to Help Prepare Florida Students for New Global Era

‘‘
Outreach, U.S. Department of Education
also discussed nutrition guidelines from the Transition to Teaching program and conversa- The Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing ing student progress; (ED). Margaret Spellings, secretary.
Nations Educational, Scientific Lee Academy of World Studies has taken its students on a trip around the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new food tions with the 2006 National Association of Students With Disabilities provides up-to- > Tips for parents on developing children’s Comments? Contact Nicole Ashby,
and Cultural Organization. date guidance on assessing the achievement reading skills; editor, at 202-205-0676 (fax), or world—without them ever having to leave their desks. With the help of the
pyramid and featured a pilot program in Secondary School Principals of the Year.
With nearly 775 million people Wisconsin that is spreading throughout the May’s show highlighted best practices of and progress of special education students.
It also includes a series of technical assis-
> Tangible symbols for communicating with
severely disabled individuals;
[email protected].
Address changes and subscriptions?
Now we Internet and an array of high-tech gadgets, its children have
discovered over the past year that the world is far bigger
over the age of 15 who are illit- Appleton Area School District with the help school choice in California and Florida and
erate, of whom two-thirds are of a physical education program grant from a compelling story of a grandmother-activist tance products that offer practical,
research-based approaches
> A schoolwide model for promoting positive
behavior; and
Contact 1-877-4ED-PUBS, or
[email protected]. have than their Tampa, Fla., neighborhood.
The 2005–06 school year was the first for the world
the Education Department. from Washington, D.C., whose nephew is Information on ED programs, resources
women, this observance
highlights the importance of
Other editions of the monthly news show benefiting from the D.C. Opportunity
Scholarship Program.
> A manual on appropriate accommodations
for instructing and assessing students with
and events? Contact 1-800-USA-LEARN,
or [email protected].
something studies curriculum. After more than a decade of serving as a
technology magnet school, Lee broadened its K–5 program by
were: “Helping America’s Youth: Engaging
literacy worldwide. Visit At-Risk Students,” “Inspiring Excellence:
Great Teachers, Great Principals,” and “New
Each month, Education News Parents Can
Use showcases: schools and school districts
disabilities in regular classes.
The Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Stu-
The Achiever contains news and information
about and from public and private organizations to link [the globalizing the social studies curriculum and adding foreign
language studies. “Downloading information about countries
http://portal.unesco.org and for the reader's information. Inclusion does not

click on “Education.”
Tools for Parents: Getting Informed and
Getting Involved.”
from across the country; conversations
with school officials, parents and education
dents With Disabilities is a joint effort of the
Office of Elementary and Secondary Educa-
constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Depart-
ment of Education of any products or services
technology] and studying them is so much easier than saying, ‘Okay, let’s
talk about technology,’” explained Principal Mamie
tion and the Office of Special Education and offered or views expressed. This publication
The March edition focused on a youth
development initiative led by first lady Laura
experts; and advice and free resources for
parents and educators. Rehabilitative Services. Free copies may be
also contains hyperlinks and URLs created
and maintained by outside organizations and
to. Buzzetti. “Now we have something to link it to.”

downloaded at www.osepideasthatwork.org provided for the reader’s convenience. The > continued on page 3
Bush and similar programs nationwide that To view past broadcasts, visit www.ed.gov
and ordered on CD-ROM by calling Department is not responsible for the accuracy
are providing at-risk youths with the tools, and click on “Parents,” then “News Parents of this information.
community support and role models Can Use,” or call toll-free 1-800-USA-LEARN. 1-877-4ED-PUBS with identification number
EHE0110C, while supplies last.
page 5 page 6
> continued from page 1 > continued from page 1

37 participating states—California, Hawaii, students showed improvement, with the since 1996, and no racial-ethnic group showed In 1993, Lee became Lee has achieved Florida’s tune the program: “We knew exactly where in high definition; docu-

add
Kentucky, South Carolina and Virginia— average score for black students increasing by improvement since 2000. the first elementary magnet adequate yearly progress goals, we were going and just basically reached ment cameras that magnify

Sh
did improve between 2000 and 2005 in seven points, and for Hispanic students by For the full results of the 2005 science report, school in Hillsborough with about 70 percent of its stu- where we needed to be.” three-dimensional objects;

irk
yD
both grades. 11 points since 2000. At grade 8, blacks were visit http://nces.ed.gov and scroll down the menu to County to be a part of the dents meeting high standards in both In another pioneering project, Lee interactive whiteboards that allow

sb
In addition, in grades 4 and 8, minority the only racial-ethnic group to show progress “Nation’s Report Card.”

oto
district’s diversity plan. At reading and math last year. During was the first in the district to set up the teachers to colorfully inscribe their

Ph
the time, remembers superin- this time span, the school has earned Spectrum Lab, which offers a hands-on notes on the projected images; and
tendent MaryEllen Elia, the nothing short of a “B” grade based on approach to problem-solving by encouraging handheld instructional devices that

Photo courtesy of Texas Tech University

Spellings Gives Texas Tech Commencement Speech idea of a technology school the state’s accountability system. students to use scientific reasoning in allow students to learn at their own
received a skeptical welcome. Buzzetti is also proud of the school’s various experiments that examine electricity, pace through multiple-choice
… To succeed you’ve got to have focus: Our fellow “Now when you look back, it’s small class sizes of 20 students per hydraulics, insects and the weather. interaction. In addition, an

I n May, Secretary Spellings delivered the

commencement address to the Texas
Tech University class of 2006. Follow-
ing is an excerpt of her remarks.
the ability to see the big picture, the
courage to dig in and persevere so that
when life throws you a curve you don’t
get derailed. …
Texan, Lance
Armstrong,
has a saying
inspired by
almost amazing to see how far
we’ve come,” she said.
After a while, however, many
of the students who were making
teacher and of its diversity: roughly
one-third are black; another one-third
are Hispanic; and the remaining one-third
are white, multiracial and Asian.
From the outside, few would guess this
century-old, redbrick
order of flat screen televisions
is expected to arrive by the fall to
help support Lee’s video broadcasts.
“The grant was the best thing that
… Today, something very precious is Thir
d
yamo -grader
Sometimes the road stretches his mom: the nearly two-hour bus ride to . D Furthermore, considering the fact could ever have happened because I’ve
tor
projec
coming to an end.
n
straight ahead. Sometimes “Pain is tem- Lee because of its technology were
from the T ina i d and s that Lee is an inner-city school been dying for a projector, and I wanted
you’re stuck in 5 o’clock porary, but finding that they could receive com- Reading Spec n t
trum he (located one mile from downtown my own laptop,” said Devin Qureshi, who
traffic. Sometimes you’re quitting is puter instruction right in their neighborhood Lab. Tampa) whose population is in her fourth year of teaching. “It’s made
just trying to find the forever.” Any- for federally subsidized meals.
han
Jonat s
schools. That’s when the staff realized they “Parents want to find what’s best for their is made up of my job easier.”
nearest exit. thing worth
And one thing you’ll anything
needed another draw for their magnet school children, and when they see all of our accom- children from all By integrating this technology into the team
h
population. Just as Lee’s leadership thought a plishments and that every child can learn, over the district, curriculum, teachers are engaging students up wit .
discover is that more often takes some
e r on
D ir e ctor o
f
than not what at first doing; it takes sacrifice. To seize life and live
technology program would help to prepare they are convinced of the school’s potential,” these accomplish- of all learning styles, from the visual to the Cam
puty d students for a digital world, they also ments are no small auditory to the kinesthetic learners. “It’s
g s a nd De n w e lcome appear to be roadblocks fully invites the potential for pain and disap- said Buzzetti, who came to Lee in 1974 as children not
llin lse
c re ta ry Spe n K a thie O e n t repre- and setbacks are the very pointment. But that’s the risk you take so that
believed a world studies focus a teacher. feat. Acclaims Elia, almost like the technology has become a
only to better communicate with their
, Se atio ale
ay 15 e Found 1 00 fem a tional things that’ll get you you can stand proud knowing you’ve lived and in an evolving global era would For the “Lee has a dedicated pen or pencil,” said Elia. “It’s fascinating.”
On M al Sc ie n c
re th a n
st-ev e r N
i- further strengthen students’ staff, from the custo- For example, in these digitally controlled Latino classmates but provide a practical
a t io n ., m o h e f ir d S c where you were meant you’ve played, while countless others never got past four
the N for t an
gton,
D.C Math Yian and link to higher learning. “I’ve used it to teach
ntists Second-graders
s h in sc ie ls in a t io n to be. off the bench. … academic preparation. years, dian to the principal, classrooms, teachers can take their students
ch online.
to W a d G ir ent them math skills when we’re talking about a
ers an nt of repres resear
e u rs , explor
A d v a nceme a le under r instan
ce, So, as best you can, As I tell my [daughters], “If all you ever do is Such a program promises a who have done some Demonae on a virtual tour of Africa at the touch of a
quadrilateral,” she said. “We talk about the
n th e u t f e m c e . F o t more prosperous future for the incredibly innovative button. Students can watch exotic animals
it o n a b o c ie n o u n have fun, put on some all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is
Summ ke ds acc Latin roots of the word—quadri, meaning
e llin gs spo t o m ath an la ss e s, girls e n t good music … and all you’ve ever got.” … children, especially at a school things with students.” school building crowned with drinking from a watering hole in the desert
Sp ted tc per c
ence. ie lds rela P la cemen o nly 15 ss don’t let anything or Take time to pause and make sure that where approximately three- It is this innovation that a monumental dome is the via a live camera feed through National ‘four,’ and later, meaning ‘sides.’ I show
a l f e d ts a n d le
in crit
ic anc ge lev
el, them how the language can help them in
s c h o ol Adv y sic s studen c o ll e n d anyone narrow your you’re living life and life isn’t living you. Have a fourths of the students qualify in 2005 earned Lee one of 20 home of a multimedia enter- Geographic’s Web site.
h of ph the n, a math, reading and writing—and in what
in hig e -third e n ts; at a re wome s dreams for the plan, but don’t be afraid to improvise. Get off Schools of Distinction awards prise. When Lee was converted to a Also, in establishing a globally conscious
o n u d s e e
for on
ly
sc ie n ce st in g m ajor n c e degr future. … the beaten path. Explore the detours and back Principal Buzzetti peers into the from Intel Corporation and technology school, the building constructed learning environment, last year Lee imple- they’re doing right now and in what they’ll
puter er scie t
ngine puter canno microscope “Big Blue,” while do in the future.”
of com ercent of e ith co m
cou n t ry Because the roads. Don’t be in such a hurry to get where Scholastic out of a national pool in 1906 by a grassroots team of laborers mented foreign language classes as a
0p men w . “Our peciall
y Jonathan and Jada examine its
than 2 r o f w o
ce 1 9 8 5
o rs , e s greatest obstacle you’re going that you miss some amazing
findings on the monitor. On the of more than 3,000 participating underwent an intensive retrofitting process, complement to its world studies program. —BY NICOLE ASHBY
umbe ent sin novat ching
the n d 2 5 perc p o t e ntial in T i V o-wat in life isn’t fail- scenery along the way. … cover, third-graders Rachel and schools. Within the same year, it also in which the ceiling, walls and hardwood Twice a week, students in every grade attend
has dr
opp e
a lf o f our d - l o v ing,
e s e cretary ure, it’s fear. Fear … [But] no matter what you do in life, I Teoprepio construct models. received a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School floors were almost completely peeled back the foreign language lab to learn Spanish.
h iPo th
f o r d to lose t t e n ing, th is issue, n w ill be keeps you on want to encourage all of you to find some way Award from Blue Ribbon Schools of Excel- to accommodate new wiring and prepare for Although the community is predominantly
a f r-f l a ss ca tio
t h i s eve To addre e n t of Edu o n why the sidelines to give back. The impact of that choice will not
in said . art m ear c h lence, Inc., in partnership with NASA. And nearly 100 boxes of computer equipment. Hispanic, Lee teaches the language with
o rld ,” she t h e U .S. Dep vie w of res
u t u re . She playing it safe, only improve the lives of others, it will enlarge this year, Lee won a Magnet School of Recently, thanks to the Intel and Scholastic an emphasis on Latin and assigns
w
c e d that e n siv e re s o f the f ith convincing and enrich yours as well. …
n preh field w
annou g a com m these p a rtners
hip Distinction Award from Magnet award winnings worth $10,000 in cash and native Spanish speakers more
c tin ay fro e w you risks are Live your life so that when you look back on
condu r n ing aw r tm ent’s n o u ncil. this day it will stand out not as an ending, but
Schools of America. Buzzetti believes $500,000 in equipment, Lee expanded its challenging activities.
re t u De p a Ad C for daredevils
girls a u n c ed the A a nd the and great- as the beginning of a wild ride, a great adven-
the stream of recognition is a credit to electronic stock to include: laptop computers; For Angela Bowling, the
nn o he U S
also a c o u ts of t ness is reserved for ture, a life lived well and with purpose. …
their hard work over the years to fine- digital projectors that beam classroom lessons language studies help
ls S
the Gir others. Yet, the reality is when you play

Lee Academy of World Studies

Visit www.ed.gov and click on “Speeches”
You’re saying it safe the only guarantee you get is that
for the complete May 13, 2006, remarks.
goodbye to friends, thanking you’ll live with regret. …
teachers who inspired you, thinking back
on many fond memories and leaving a
place that’s been your home for four
AROUND THE COUNTRY
years—maybe a little longer for some NEW YORK—The New York City and the city’s teachers union to address teacher NORTH CAROLINA—This fall, a engage other parents in a variety of school > Grade Span: K–5 > Special Education Students: 3%
of you. Department of Education is hoping shortages in these subject areas. Candidates group of Mecklenburg County parents will initiatives, from helping Hispanic students > Locale: Large central city > Percentage Proficient: In math,
But today, you’re also starting out on its new housing support program will must have a minimum of two years of class- begin a two-year training program to learn learn to read to helping school leadership 71%; in reading, 70% (based on
> Total Students: 373
a new beginning, an incredible journey, attract at least 100 newly hired math, room experience and pass a rigorous selection how to become activists for improving teams incorporate writing as a core subject. third- through fifth-graders assessed
one that stretches further and wider than > Race/Ethnicity Enrollment: on the 2005 state exams)
science and special education teachers process. Eligible teachers will receive an initial public education for all children. Through The program is supported by the Public
anything you’ve ever known. … You’re 36% black, 31% Hispanic,
to some of its high-need middle and payment of up to $5,000 for housing-related its Parent Leadership Network, the nonprofit Education Network and is modeled after > Interesting Fact: Built in 1906,
embarking on life, and it’s very simply 24% white, 7% multiracial, 2% Asian
high schools by September. The expenses along with a $400 monthly stipend organization Charlotte Advocates for Educa- a project by the Prichard Committee for Lee was retrofitted with a new wiring
what you make it. … program was negotiated with Mayor for two years in exchange for a three-year tion trains parents to partner with schools to Academic Excellence, a Kentucky-based > Free or Reduced-Price Lunch system in 1993 when it was converted
Eligible: 73% to a technology magnet school.
Michael Bloomberg’s administration commitment of service. improve student achievement. Participants advocacy group for school reform.
> English Language Learners: 36%
page 2 page 3 page 4
> continued from page 1 > continued from page 1

37 participating states—California, Hawaii, students showed improvement, with the since 1996, and no racial-ethnic group showed In 1993, Lee became Lee has achieved Florida’s tune the program: “We knew exactly where in high definition; docu-

add
Kentucky, South Carolina and Virginia— average score for black students increasing by improvement since 2000. the first elementary magnet adequate yearly progress goals, we were going and just basically reached ment cameras that magnify

Sh
did improve between 2000 and 2005 in seven points, and for Hispanic students by For the full results of the 2005 science report, school in Hillsborough with about 70 percent of its stu- where we needed to be.” three-dimensional objects;

irk
yD
both grades. 11 points since 2000. At grade 8, blacks were visit http://nces.ed.gov and scroll down the menu to County to be a part of the dents meeting high standards in both In another pioneering project, Lee interactive whiteboards that allow

sb
In addition, in grades 4 and 8, minority the only racial-ethnic group to show progress “Nation’s Report Card.”

oto
district’s diversity plan. At reading and math last year. During was the first in the district to set up the teachers to colorfully inscribe their

Ph
the time, remembers superin- this time span, the school has earned Spectrum Lab, which offers a hands-on notes on the projected images; and
tendent MaryEllen Elia, the nothing short of a “B” grade based on approach to problem-solving by encouraging handheld instructional devices that

Photo courtesy of Texas Tech University

Spellings Gives Texas Tech Commencement Speech idea of a technology school the state’s accountability system. students to use scientific reasoning in allow students to learn at their own
received a skeptical welcome. Buzzetti is also proud of the school’s various experiments that examine electricity, pace through multiple-choice
… To succeed you’ve got to have focus: Our fellow “Now when you look back, it’s small class sizes of 20 students per hydraulics, insects and the weather. interaction. In addition, an

I n May, Secretary Spellings delivered the

commencement address to the Texas
Tech University class of 2006. Follow-
ing is an excerpt of her remarks.
the ability to see the big picture, the
courage to dig in and persevere so that
when life throws you a curve you don’t
get derailed. …
Texan, Lance
Armstrong,
has a saying
inspired by
almost amazing to see how far
we’ve come,” she said.
After a while, however, many
of the students who were making
teacher and of its diversity: roughly
one-third are black; another one-third
are Hispanic; and the remaining one-third
are white, multiracial and Asian.
From the outside, few would guess this
century-old, redbrick
order of flat screen televisions
is expected to arrive by the fall to
help support Lee’s video broadcasts.
“The grant was the best thing that
… Today, something very precious is Thir
d
yamo -grader
Sometimes the road stretches his mom: the nearly two-hour bus ride to . D Furthermore, considering the fact could ever have happened because I’ve
tor
projec
coming to an end.
n
straight ahead. Sometimes “Pain is tem- Lee because of its technology were
from the T ina i d and s that Lee is an inner-city school been dying for a projector, and I wanted
you’re stuck in 5 o’clock porary, but finding that they could receive com- Reading Spec n t
trum he (located one mile from downtown my own laptop,” said Devin Qureshi, who
traffic. Sometimes you’re quitting is puter instruction right in their neighborhood Lab. Tampa) whose population is in her fourth year of teaching. “It’s made
just trying to find the forever.” Any- for federally subsidized meals.
han
Jonat s
schools. That’s when the staff realized they “Parents want to find what’s best for their is made up of my job easier.”
nearest exit. thing worth
And one thing you’ll anything
needed another draw for their magnet school children, and when they see all of our accom- children from all By integrating this technology into the team
h
population. Just as Lee’s leadership thought a plishments and that every child can learn, over the district, curriculum, teachers are engaging students up wit .
discover is that more often takes some
e r on
D ir e ctor o
f
than not what at first doing; it takes sacrifice. To seize life and live
technology program would help to prepare they are convinced of the school’s potential,” these accomplish- of all learning styles, from the visual to the Cam
puty d students for a digital world, they also ments are no small auditory to the kinesthetic learners. “It’s
g s a nd De n w e lcome appear to be roadblocks fully invites the potential for pain and disap- said Buzzetti, who came to Lee in 1974 as children not
llin lse
c re ta ry Spe n K a thie O e n t repre- and setbacks are the very pointment. But that’s the risk you take so that
believed a world studies focus a teacher. feat. Acclaims Elia, almost like the technology has become a
only to better communicate with their
, Se atio ale
ay 15 e Found 1 00 fem a tional things that’ll get you you can stand proud knowing you’ve lived and in an evolving global era would For the “Lee has a dedicated pen or pencil,” said Elia. “It’s fascinating.”
On M al Sc ie n c
re th a n
st-ev e r N
i- further strengthen students’ staff, from the custo- For example, in these digitally controlled Latino classmates but provide a practical
a t io n ., m o h e f ir d S c where you were meant you’ve played, while countless others never got past four
the N for t an
gton,
D.C Math Yian and link to higher learning. “I’ve used it to teach
ntists Second-graders
s h in sc ie ls in a t io n to be. off the bench. … academic preparation. years, dian to the principal, classrooms, teachers can take their students
ch online.
to W a d G ir ent them math skills when we’re talking about a
ers an nt of repres resear
e u rs , explor
A d v a nceme a le under r instan
ce, So, as best you can, As I tell my [daughters], “If all you ever do is Such a program promises a who have done some Demonae on a virtual tour of Africa at the touch of a
quadrilateral,” she said. “We talk about the
n th e u t f e m c e . F o t more prosperous future for the incredibly innovative button. Students can watch exotic animals
it o n a b o c ie n o u n have fun, put on some all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is
Summ ke ds acc Latin roots of the word—quadri, meaning
e llin gs spo t o m ath an la ss e s, girls e n t good music … and all you’ve ever got.” … children, especially at a school things with students.” school building crowned with drinking from a watering hole in the desert
Sp ted tc per c
ence. ie lds rela P la cemen o nly 15 ss don’t let anything or Take time to pause and make sure that where approximately three- It is this innovation that a monumental dome is the via a live camera feed through National ‘four,’ and later, meaning ‘sides.’ I show
a l f e d ts a n d le
in crit
ic anc ge lev
el, them how the language can help them in
s c h o ol Adv y sic s studen c o ll e n d anyone narrow your you’re living life and life isn’t living you. Have a fourths of the students qualify in 2005 earned Lee one of 20 home of a multimedia enter- Geographic’s Web site.
h of ph the n, a math, reading and writing—and in what
in hig e -third e n ts; at a re wome s dreams for the plan, but don’t be afraid to improvise. Get off Schools of Distinction awards prise. When Lee was converted to a Also, in establishing a globally conscious
o n u d s e e
for on
ly
sc ie n ce st in g m ajor n c e degr future. … the beaten path. Explore the detours and back Principal Buzzetti peers into the from Intel Corporation and technology school, the building constructed learning environment, last year Lee imple- they’re doing right now and in what they’ll
puter er scie t
ngine puter canno microscope “Big Blue,” while do in the future.”
of com ercent of e ith co m
cou n t ry Because the roads. Don’t be in such a hurry to get where Scholastic out of a national pool in 1906 by a grassroots team of laborers mented foreign language classes as a
0p men w . “Our peciall
y Jonathan and Jada examine its
than 2 r o f w o
ce 1 9 8 5
o rs , e s greatest obstacle you’re going that you miss some amazing
findings on the monitor. On the of more than 3,000 participating underwent an intensive retrofitting process, complement to its world studies program. —BY NICOLE ASHBY
umbe ent sin novat ching
the n d 2 5 perc p o t e ntial in T i V o-wat in life isn’t fail- scenery along the way. … cover, third-graders Rachel and schools. Within the same year, it also in which the ceiling, walls and hardwood Twice a week, students in every grade attend
has dr
opp e
a lf o f our d - l o v ing,
e s e cretary ure, it’s fear. Fear … [But] no matter what you do in life, I Teoprepio construct models. received a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School floors were almost completely peeled back the foreign language lab to learn Spanish.
h iPo th
f o r d to lose t t e n ing, th is issue, n w ill be keeps you on want to encourage all of you to find some way Award from Blue Ribbon Schools of Excel- to accommodate new wiring and prepare for Although the community is predominantly
a f r-f l a ss ca tio
t h i s eve To addre e n t of Edu o n why the sidelines to give back. The impact of that choice will not
in said . art m ear c h lence, Inc., in partnership with NASA. And nearly 100 boxes of computer equipment. Hispanic, Lee teaches the language with
o rld ,” she t h e U .S. Dep vie w of res
u t u re . She playing it safe, only improve the lives of others, it will enlarge this year, Lee won a Magnet School of Recently, thanks to the Intel and Scholastic an emphasis on Latin and assigns
w
c e d that e n siv e re s o f the f ith convincing and enrich yours as well. …
n preh field w
annou g a com m these p a rtners
hip Distinction Award from Magnet award winnings worth $10,000 in cash and native Spanish speakers more
c tin ay fro e w you risks are Live your life so that when you look back on
condu r n ing aw r tm ent’s n o u ncil. this day it will stand out not as an ending, but
Schools of America. Buzzetti believes $500,000 in equipment, Lee expanded its challenging activities.
re t u De p a Ad C for daredevils
girls a u n c ed the A a nd the and great- as the beginning of a wild ride, a great adven-
the stream of recognition is a credit to electronic stock to include: laptop computers; For Angela Bowling, the
nn o he U S
also a c o u ts of t ness is reserved for ture, a life lived well and with purpose. …
their hard work over the years to fine- digital projectors that beam classroom lessons language studies help
ls S
the Gir others. Yet, the reality is when you play

Lee Academy of World Studies

Visit www.ed.gov and click on “Speeches”
You’re saying it safe the only guarantee you get is that
for the complete May 13, 2006, remarks.
goodbye to friends, thanking you’ll live with regret. …
teachers who inspired you, thinking back
on many fond memories and leaving a
place that’s been your home for four
AROUND THE COUNTRY
years—maybe a little longer for some NEW YORK—The New York City and the city’s teachers union to address teacher NORTH CAROLINA—This fall, a engage other parents in a variety of school > Grade Span: K–5 > Special Education Students: 3%
of you. Department of Education is hoping shortages in these subject areas. Candidates group of Mecklenburg County parents will initiatives, from helping Hispanic students > Locale: Large central city > Percentage Proficient: In math,
But today, you’re also starting out on its new housing support program will must have a minimum of two years of class- begin a two-year training program to learn learn to read to helping school leadership 71%; in reading, 70% (based on
> Total Students: 373
a new beginning, an incredible journey, attract at least 100 newly hired math, room experience and pass a rigorous selection how to become activists for improving teams incorporate writing as a core subject. third- through fifth-graders assessed
one that stretches further and wider than > Race/Ethnicity Enrollment: on the 2005 state exams)
science and special education teachers process. Eligible teachers will receive an initial public education for all children. Through The program is supported by the Public
anything you’ve ever known. … You’re 36% black, 31% Hispanic,
to some of its high-need middle and payment of up to $5,000 for housing-related its Parent Leadership Network, the nonprofit Education Network and is modeled after > Interesting Fact: Built in 1906,
embarking on life, and it’s very simply 24% white, 7% multiracial, 2% Asian
high schools by September. The expenses along with a $400 monthly stipend organization Charlotte Advocates for Educa- a project by the Prichard Committee for Lee was retrofitted with a new wiring
what you make it. … program was negotiated with Mayor for two years in exchange for a three-year tion trains parents to partner with schools to Academic Excellence, a Kentucky-based > Free or Reduced-Price Lunch system in 1993 when it was converted
Eligible: 73% to a technology magnet school.
Michael Bloomberg’s administration commitment of service. improve student achievement. Participants advocacy group for school reform.
> English Language Learners: 36%
page 2 page 3 page 4
> continued from page 1 > continued from page 1

37 participating states—California, Hawaii, students showed improvement, with the since 1996, and no racial-ethnic group showed In 1993, Lee became Lee has achieved Florida’s tune the program: “We knew exactly where in high definition; docu-

add
Kentucky, South Carolina and Virginia— average score for black students increasing by improvement since 2000. the first elementary magnet adequate yearly progress goals, we were going and just basically reached ment cameras that magnify

Sh
did improve between 2000 and 2005 in seven points, and for Hispanic students by For the full results of the 2005 science report, school in Hillsborough with about 70 percent of its stu- where we needed to be.” three-dimensional objects;

irk
yD
both grades. 11 points since 2000. At grade 8, blacks were visit http://nces.ed.gov and scroll down the menu to County to be a part of the dents meeting high standards in both In another pioneering project, Lee interactive whiteboards that allow

sb
In addition, in grades 4 and 8, minority the only racial-ethnic group to show progress “Nation’s Report Card.”

oto
district’s diversity plan. At reading and math last year. During was the first in the district to set up the teachers to colorfully inscribe their

Ph
the time, remembers superin- this time span, the school has earned Spectrum Lab, which offers a hands-on notes on the projected images; and
tendent MaryEllen Elia, the nothing short of a “B” grade based on approach to problem-solving by encouraging handheld instructional devices that

Photo courtesy of Texas Tech University

Spellings Gives Texas Tech Commencement Speech idea of a technology school the state’s accountability system. students to use scientific reasoning in allow students to learn at their own
received a skeptical welcome. Buzzetti is also proud of the school’s various experiments that examine electricity, pace through multiple-choice
… To succeed you’ve got to have focus: Our fellow “Now when you look back, it’s small class sizes of 20 students per hydraulics, insects and the weather. interaction. In addition, an

I n May, Secretary Spellings delivered the

commencement address to the Texas
Tech University class of 2006. Follow-
ing is an excerpt of her remarks.
the ability to see the big picture, the
courage to dig in and persevere so that
when life throws you a curve you don’t
get derailed. …
Texan, Lance
Armstrong,
has a saying
inspired by
almost amazing to see how far
we’ve come,” she said.
After a while, however, many
of the students who were making
teacher and of its diversity: roughly
one-third are black; another one-third
are Hispanic; and the remaining one-third
are white, multiracial and Asian.
From the outside, few would guess this
century-old, redbrick
order of flat screen televisions
is expected to arrive by the fall to
help support Lee’s video broadcasts.
“The grant was the best thing that
… Today, something very precious is Thir
d
yamo -grader
Sometimes the road stretches his mom: the nearly two-hour bus ride to . D Furthermore, considering the fact could ever have happened because I’ve
tor
projec
coming to an end.
n
straight ahead. Sometimes “Pain is tem- Lee because of its technology were
from the T ina i d and s that Lee is an inner-city school been dying for a projector, and I wanted
you’re stuck in 5 o’clock porary, but finding that they could receive com- Reading Spec n t
trum he (located one mile from downtown my own laptop,” said Devin Qureshi, who
traffic. Sometimes you’re quitting is puter instruction right in their neighborhood Lab. Tampa) whose population is in her fourth year of teaching. “It’s made
just trying to find the forever.” Any- for federally subsidized meals.
han
Jonat s
schools. That’s when the staff realized they “Parents want to find what’s best for their is made up of my job easier.”
nearest exit. thing worth
And one thing you’ll anything
needed another draw for their magnet school children, and when they see all of our accom- children from all By integrating this technology into the team
h
population. Just as Lee’s leadership thought a plishments and that every child can learn, over the district, curriculum, teachers are engaging students up wit .
discover is that more often takes some
e r on
D ir e ctor o
f
than not what at first doing; it takes sacrifice. To seize life and live
technology program would help to prepare they are convinced of the school’s potential,” these accomplish- of all learning styles, from the visual to the Cam
puty d students for a digital world, they also ments are no small auditory to the kinesthetic learners. “It’s
g s a nd De n w e lcome appear to be roadblocks fully invites the potential for pain and disap- said Buzzetti, who came to Lee in 1974 as children not
llin lse
c re ta ry Spe n K a thie O e n t repre- and setbacks are the very pointment. But that’s the risk you take so that
believed a world studies focus a teacher. feat. Acclaims Elia, almost like the technology has become a
only to better communicate with their
, Se atio ale
ay 15 e Found 1 00 fem a tional things that’ll get you you can stand proud knowing you’ve lived and in an evolving global era would For the “Lee has a dedicated pen or pencil,” said Elia. “It’s fascinating.”
On M al Sc ie n c
re th a n
st-ev e r N
i- further strengthen students’ staff, from the custo- For example, in these digitally controlled Latino classmates but provide a practical
a t io n ., m o h e f ir d S c where you were meant you’ve played, while countless others never got past four
the N for t an
gton,
D.C Math Yian and link to higher learning. “I’ve used it to teach
ntists Second-graders
s h in sc ie ls in a t io n to be. off the bench. … academic preparation. years, dian to the principal, classrooms, teachers can take their students
ch online.
to W a d G ir ent them math skills when we’re talking about a
ers an nt of repres resear
e u rs , explor
A d v a nceme a le under r instan
ce, So, as best you can, As I tell my [daughters], “If all you ever do is Such a program promises a who have done some Demonae on a virtual tour of Africa at the touch of a
quadrilateral,” she said. “We talk about the
n th e u t f e m c e . F o t more prosperous future for the incredibly innovative button. Students can watch exotic animals
it o n a b o c ie n o u n have fun, put on some all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is
Summ ke ds acc Latin roots of the word—quadri, meaning
e llin gs spo t o m ath an la ss e s, girls e n t good music … and all you’ve ever got.” … children, especially at a school things with students.” school building crowned with drinking from a watering hole in the desert
Sp ted tc per c
ence. ie lds rela P la cemen o nly 15 ss don’t let anything or Take time to pause and make sure that where approximately three- It is this innovation that a monumental dome is the via a live camera feed through National ‘four,’ and later, meaning ‘sides.’ I show
a l f e d ts a n d le
in crit
ic anc ge lev
el, them how the language can help them in
s c h o ol Adv y sic s studen c o ll e n d anyone narrow your you’re living life and life isn’t living you. Have a fourths of the students qualify in 2005 earned Lee one of 20 home of a multimedia enter- Geographic’s Web site.
h of ph the n, a math, reading and writing—and in what
in hig e -third e n ts; at a re wome s dreams for the plan, but don’t be afraid to improvise. Get off Schools of Distinction awards prise. When Lee was converted to a Also, in establishing a globally conscious
o n u d s e e
for on
ly
sc ie n ce st in g m ajor n c e degr future. … the beaten path. Explore the detours and back Principal Buzzetti peers into the from Intel Corporation and technology school, the building constructed learning environment, last year Lee imple- they’re doing right now and in what they’ll
puter er scie t
ngine puter canno microscope “Big Blue,” while do in the future.”
of com ercent of e ith co m
cou n t ry Because the roads. Don’t be in such a hurry to get where Scholastic out of a national pool in 1906 by a grassroots team of laborers mented foreign language classes as a
0p men w . “Our peciall
y Jonathan and Jada examine its
than 2 r o f w o
ce 1 9 8 5
o rs , e s greatest obstacle you’re going that you miss some amazing
findings on the monitor. On the of more than 3,000 participating underwent an intensive retrofitting process, complement to its world studies program. —BY NICOLE ASHBY
umbe ent sin novat ching
the n d 2 5 perc p o t e ntial in T i V o-wat in life isn’t fail- scenery along the way. … cover, third-graders Rachel and schools. Within the same year, it also in which the ceiling, walls and hardwood Twice a week, students in every grade attend
has dr
opp e
a lf o f our d - l o v ing,
e s e cretary ure, it’s fear. Fear … [But] no matter what you do in life, I Teoprepio construct models. received a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School floors were almost completely peeled back the foreign language lab to learn Spanish.
h iPo th
f o r d to lose t t e n ing, th is issue, n w ill be keeps you on want to encourage all of you to find some way Award from Blue Ribbon Schools of Excel- to accommodate new wiring and prepare for Although the community is predominantly
a f r-f l a ss ca tio
t h i s eve To addre e n t of Edu o n why the sidelines to give back. The impact of that choice will not
in said . art m ear c h lence, Inc., in partnership with NASA. And nearly 100 boxes of computer equipment. Hispanic, Lee teaches the language with
o rld ,” she t h e U .S. Dep vie w of res
u t u re . She playing it safe, only improve the lives of others, it will enlarge this year, Lee won a Magnet School of Recently, thanks to the Intel and Scholastic an emphasis on Latin and assigns
w
c e d that e n siv e re s o f the f ith convincing and enrich yours as well. …
n preh field w
annou g a com m these p a rtners
hip Distinction Award from Magnet award winnings worth $10,000 in cash and native Spanish speakers more
c tin ay fro e w you risks are Live your life so that when you look back on
condu r n ing aw r tm ent’s n o u ncil. this day it will stand out not as an ending, but
Schools of America. Buzzetti believes $500,000 in equipment, Lee expanded its challenging activities.
re t u De p a Ad C for daredevils
girls a u n c ed the A a nd the and great- as the beginning of a wild ride, a great adven-
the stream of recognition is a credit to electronic stock to include: laptop computers; For Angela Bowling, the
nn o he U S
also a c o u ts of t ness is reserved for ture, a life lived well and with purpose. …
their hard work over the years to fine- digital projectors that beam classroom lessons language studies help
ls S
the Gir others. Yet, the reality is when you play

Lee Academy of World Studies

Visit www.ed.gov and click on “Speeches”
You’re saying it safe the only guarantee you get is that
for the complete May 13, 2006, remarks.
goodbye to friends, thanking you’ll live with regret. …
teachers who inspired you, thinking back
on many fond memories and leaving a
place that’s been your home for four
AROUND THE COUNTRY
years—maybe a little longer for some NEW YORK—The New York City and the city’s teachers union to address teacher NORTH CAROLINA—This fall, a engage other parents in a variety of school > Grade Span: K–5 > Special Education Students: 3%
of you. Department of Education is hoping shortages in these subject areas. Candidates group of Mecklenburg County parents will initiatives, from helping Hispanic students > Locale: Large central city > Percentage Proficient: In math,
But today, you’re also starting out on its new housing support program will must have a minimum of two years of class- begin a two-year training program to learn learn to read to helping school leadership 71%; in reading, 70% (based on
> Total Students: 373
a new beginning, an incredible journey, attract at least 100 newly hired math, room experience and pass a rigorous selection how to become activists for improving teams incorporate writing as a core subject. third- through fifth-graders assessed
one that stretches further and wider than > Race/Ethnicity Enrollment: on the 2005 state exams)
science and special education teachers process. Eligible teachers will receive an initial public education for all children. Through The program is supported by the Public
anything you’ve ever known. … You’re 36% black, 31% Hispanic,
to some of its high-need middle and payment of up to $5,000 for housing-related its Parent Leadership Network, the nonprofit Education Network and is modeled after > Interesting Fact: Built in 1906,
embarking on life, and it’s very simply 24% white, 7% multiracial, 2% Asian
high schools by September. The expenses along with a $400 monthly stipend organization Charlotte Advocates for Educa- a project by the Prichard Committee for Lee was retrofitted with a new wiring
what you make it. … program was negotiated with Mayor for two years in exchange for a three-year tion trains parents to partner with schools to Academic Excellence, a Kentucky-based > Free or Reduced-Price Lunch system in 1993 when it was converted
Eligible: 73% to a technology magnet school.
Michael Bloomberg’s administration commitment of service. improve student achievement. Participants advocacy group for school reform.
> English Language Learners: 36%
page 2 page 3 page 4
 QA U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
Calendar ED PUBS The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

July 25
White House Faith-Based
& G L O S S A R Y
P.O. BOX 1398
JESSUP, MD 20794-1398
EDUCATION
Permit NO. G-17 The U.S.
and Community Initiatives OFFICIAL BUSINESS VOL.5, NO.6 JULY/AUGUST 2006
PRESORTED DEPARTMENT
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 OF
Conference, Austin, Texas, been previously enrolled in a program of FIRST CLASS EDUCATION
undergraduate education; second-year stu-
sponsored by a consortium
dents must have had at least a cumulative
of federal agencies, including What federal grants are 3.0 grade point average (GPA) during their VOL.5, NO.6 JULY/AUGUST 2006 www.ed.gov
the U.S. Department of Educa- available for college students? first year of college. Based on information
tion. This regional meeting for provided on the Free Application for Federal
Science Score Gains Made on
T
o meet the growing need for improved Student Aid, potentially eligible students Younger Students Show Highest
grassroots leaders will provide will be contacted by July 1.
math and science instruction, Presi-
information about federal
grant opportunities.
dent George W. Bush recently signed
into law two new grant programs for
college students: the Academic Competi-
For upper-level students, SMART grants
of up to $4,000 will be awarded to third-
and fourth-year college students who major
Achievement Over Last Decade
Nation’s Report Card
T
Registration deadline is July 19. he latest results on the Nation’s Report lower-income students narrowed the achievement
tiveness Grant and the Science and in mathematics, science, technology, engi-
For more information, visit Card show that students at the elemen- gap since 2000. I N S I D E
Mathematics Access to Retain Talent neering or critical foreign languages at
tary school level have made remarkable > Scores for 12th-graders remained unchanged
www.fbci.gov or call (SMART) Grant. The president has budgeted a four-year degree-granting institution.
progress in science compared to those in since the last assessment, but are lower than
202-456-6718. $790 million for the 2006–07 academic Students must have at least a cumulative
the upper grades. in 1996. However, the gap in achieve- 2 Spellings Gives Texas Tech
year, and $4.5 billion over five years, to 3.0 GPA in college.
The 2005 National Assessment ment between black and white Commencement Speech
provide financial aid to college students Visit www.ed.gov and click on “About
of Educational Progress (NAEP) students has widened since 2000.
who are: 1) eligible for federal Pell grants; ED,” then “Priorities,” for more information Around the Country—
tested the science skills of a rep- “These NAEP results provide
September 2) United States citizens; and 3) enrolled about student eligibility for the American
resentative sample of more than further evidence that accountabil- New York and North Carolina
full-time. Competitiveness Initiative grant programs.
Library Card Sign-Up Month, 300,000 students in grades 4, 8 ity and assessments are working
5 Calendar
sponsored by the American
Academic Competitiveness grants will
( and 12. Released in May of this to raise achievement levels, even

(
be awarded to first- and second-year college year by the U.S. Department of in subjects not directly tested Q&A—Federal Grants for
Library Association. Launched students who have completed a rigorous pell grant: a federal grant Education’s National Center for under the No Child Left Behind College Students
in 1987, this observance brings secondary school program. Qualifying stu- Education Statistics, national find- Act,” said U.S. Secretary of Education
that provides funds to undergraduate
dents would receive up to $750 for the first ings since the previous assessments in Margaret Spellings. Furthermore, she Education News Parents
national attention to using the
year of study and up to $1,300 for the sec- students based on financial need. Can Use
local library as a source of life- 1996 and 2000 revealed: added that the results prove the need to
ond year. First-year students must not have > Fourth-grade students scored higher than in expand those accountability provisions more in
time learning. Visit www.ala.org Teaching, Assessing Students With Disabilities either previous year, and lower-performing the nation’s high schools.
6 Teaching, Assessing
Students With Disabilities
and click on “Events and students made the largest gains since 2000. The report also presents state results for
Conferences,” or call toll-free > Eighth-graders’ overall performance remained grades 4 and 8. Although most states showed no
News Show Looks Back on Spring Season unchanged from either previous year; gains by improvement in these grades, five of the

I
1-800-545-2433. n striving to help all students achieve to the challenges schools are facing in
to high standards, the U.S. Department instruction, assessment, accommodations

E
necessary for them to grow into healthy, > continued on page 2
ducation News Parents Can Use, the
U.S. Department of Education’s monthly productive adults. of Education recently released a new and behavioral interventions. This colorful U.S. Department of Education Plugging Into the World
television program, wrapped up the In April, the focus shifted to another topic tool kit to assist school leaders in fully publication—replete with charts, tables and 400 Maryland Ave., S.W.

September 8 spring season with its June edition, “Child

Health and Nutrition,” which highlighted
of particular interest to America’s families. The
show examined how excellence in teaching is
implementing the accountability provisions
of the No Child Left Behind Act for students
illustrations—includes:
> Testimonials by educators who have
Washington, DC 20202

The Achiever is a monthly publication

Technology School Introduces World Studies Program
International Literacy Day,
sponsored by the United
national and local programs that encourage
children to eat right and exercise. The show
at the core of the nation’s long-term competi-
tiveness, with a videotaped story of IBM’s
with disabilities as well as those of the
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.
successfully used alternate assessments;
> Sound practices for systematically monitor-
for parents and community leaders from
the Office of Communications and to Help Prepare Florida Students for New Global Era

‘‘
Outreach, U.S. Department of Education
also discussed nutrition guidelines from the Transition to Teaching program and conversa- The Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing ing student progress; (ED). Margaret Spellings, secretary.
Nations Educational, Scientific Lee Academy of World Studies has taken its students on a trip around the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new food tions with the 2006 National Association of Students With Disabilities provides up-to- > Tips for parents on developing children’s Comments? Contact Nicole Ashby,
and Cultural Organization. date guidance on assessing the achievement reading skills; editor, at 202-205-0676 (fax), or world—without them ever having to leave their desks. With the help of the
pyramid and featured a pilot program in Secondary School Principals of the Year.
With nearly 775 million people Wisconsin that is spreading throughout the May’s show highlighted best practices of and progress of special education students.
It also includes a series of technical assis-
> Tangible symbols for communicating with
severely disabled individuals;
[email protected].
Address changes and subscriptions?
Now we Internet and an array of high-tech gadgets, its children have
discovered over the past year that the world is far bigger
over the age of 15 who are illit- Appleton Area School District with the help school choice in California and Florida and
erate, of whom two-thirds are of a physical education program grant from a compelling story of a grandmother-activist tance products that offer practical,
research-based approaches
> A schoolwide model for promoting positive
behavior; and
Contact 1-877-4ED-PUBS, or
[email protected]. have than their Tampa, Fla., neighborhood.
The 2005–06 school year was the first for the world
the Education Department. from Washington, D.C., whose nephew is Information on ED programs, resources
women, this observance
highlights the importance of
Other editions of the monthly news show benefiting from the D.C. Opportunity
Scholarship Program.
> A manual on appropriate accommodations
for instructing and assessing students with
and events? Contact 1-800-USA-LEARN,
or [email protected].
something studies curriculum. After more than a decade of serving as a
technology magnet school, Lee broadened its K–5 program by
were: “Helping America’s Youth: Engaging
literacy worldwide. Visit At-Risk Students,” “Inspiring Excellence:
Great Teachers, Great Principals,” and “New
Each month, Education News Parents Can
Use showcases: schools and school districts
disabilities in regular classes.
The Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Stu-
The Achiever contains news and information
about and from public and private organizations to link [the globalizing the social studies curriculum and adding foreign
language studies. “Downloading information about countries
http://portal.unesco.org and for the reader's information. Inclusion does not

click on “Education.”
Tools for Parents: Getting Informed and
Getting Involved.”
from across the country; conversations
with school officials, parents and education
dents With Disabilities is a joint effort of the
Office of Elementary and Secondary Educa-
constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Depart-
ment of Education of any products or services
technology] and studying them is so much easier than saying, ‘Okay, let’s
talk about technology,’” explained Principal Mamie
tion and the Office of Special Education and offered or views expressed. This publication
The March edition focused on a youth
development initiative led by first lady Laura
experts; and advice and free resources for
parents and educators. Rehabilitative Services. Free copies may be
also contains hyperlinks and URLs created
and maintained by outside organizations and
to. Buzzetti. “Now we have something to link it to.”

downloaded at www.osepideasthatwork.org provided for the reader’s convenience. The > continued on page 3
Bush and similar programs nationwide that To view past broadcasts, visit www.ed.gov
and ordered on CD-ROM by calling Department is not responsible for the accuracy
are providing at-risk youths with the tools, and click on “Parents,” then “News Parents of this information.
community support and role models Can Use,” or call toll-free 1-800-USA-LEARN. 1-877-4ED-PUBS with identification number
EHE0110C, while supplies last.
page 5 page 6
 QA U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
Calendar ED PUBS The U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

July 25
White House Faith-Based
& G L O S S A R Y
P.O. BOX 1398
JESSUP, MD 20794-1398
EDUCATION
Permit NO. G-17 The U.S.
and Community Initiatives OFFICIAL BUSINESS VOL.5, NO.6 JULY/AUGUST 2006
PRESORTED DEPARTMENT
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 OF
Conference, Austin, Texas, been previously enrolled in a program of FIRST CLASS EDUCATION
undergraduate education; second-year stu-
sponsored by a consortium
dents must have had at least a cumulative
of federal agencies, including What federal grants are 3.0 grade point average (GPA) during their VOL.5, NO.6 JULY/AUGUST 2006 www.ed.gov
the U.S. Department of Educa- available for college students? first year of college. Based on information
tion. This regional meeting for provided on the Free Application for Federal
Science Score Gains Made on
T
o meet the growing need for improved Student Aid, potentially eligible students Younger Students Show Highest
grassroots leaders will provide will be contacted by July 1.
math and science instruction, Presi-
information about federal
grant opportunities.
dent George W. Bush recently signed
into law two new grant programs for
college students: the Academic Competi-
For upper-level students, SMART grants
of up to $4,000 will be awarded to third-
and fourth-year college students who major
Achievement Over Last Decade
Nation’s Report Card
T
Registration deadline is July 19. he latest results on the Nation’s Report lower-income students narrowed the achievement
tiveness Grant and the Science and in mathematics, science, technology, engi-
For more information, visit Card show that students at the elemen- gap since 2000. I N S I D E
Mathematics Access to Retain Talent neering or critical foreign languages at
tary school level have made remarkable > Scores for 12th-graders remained unchanged
www.fbci.gov or call (SMART) Grant. The president has budgeted a four-year degree-granting institution.
progress in science compared to those in since the last assessment, but are lower than
202-456-6718. $790 million for the 2006–07 academic Students must have at least a cumulative
the upper grades. in 1996. However, the gap in achieve- 2 Spellings Gives Texas Tech
year, and $4.5 billion over five years, to 3.0 GPA in college.
The 2005 National Assessment ment between black and white Commencement Speech
provide financial aid to college students Visit www.ed.gov and click on “About
of Educational Progress (NAEP) students has widened since 2000.
who are: 1) eligible for federal Pell grants; ED,” then “Priorities,” for more information Around the Country—
tested the science skills of a rep- “These NAEP results provide
September 2) United States citizens; and 3) enrolled about student eligibility for the American
resentative sample of more than further evidence that accountabil- New York and North Carolina
full-time. Competitiveness Initiative grant programs.
Library Card Sign-Up Month, 300,000 students in grades 4, 8 ity and assessments are working
5 Calendar
sponsored by the American
Academic Competitiveness grants will
( and 12. Released in May of this to raise achievement levels, even

(
be awarded to first- and second-year college year by the U.S. Department of in subjects not directly tested Q&A—Federal Grants for
Library Association. Launched students who have completed a rigorous pell grant: a federal grant Education’s National Center for under the No Child Left Behind College Students
in 1987, this observance brings secondary school program. Qualifying stu- Education Statistics, national find- Act,” said U.S. Secretary of Education
that provides funds to undergraduate
dents would receive up to $750 for the first ings since the previous assessments in Margaret Spellings. Furthermore, she Education News Parents
national attention to using the
year of study and up to $1,300 for the sec- students based on financial need. Can Use
local library as a source of life- 1996 and 2000 revealed: added that the results prove the need to
ond year. First-year students must not have > Fourth-grade students scored higher than in expand those accountability provisions more in
time learning. Visit www.ala.org Teaching, Assessing Students With Disabilities either previous year, and lower-performing the nation’s high schools.
6 Teaching, Assessing
Students With Disabilities
and click on “Events and students made the largest gains since 2000. The report also presents state results for
Conferences,” or call toll-free > Eighth-graders’ overall performance remained grades 4 and 8. Although most states showed no
News Show Looks Back on Spring Season unchanged from either previous year; gains by improvement in these grades, five of the

I
1-800-545-2433. n striving to help all students achieve to the challenges schools are facing in
to high standards, the U.S. Department instruction, assessment, accommodations

E
necessary for them to grow into healthy, > continued on page 2
ducation News Parents Can Use, the
U.S. Department of Education’s monthly productive adults. of Education recently released a new and behavioral interventions. This colorful U.S. Department of Education Plugging Into the World
television program, wrapped up the In April, the focus shifted to another topic tool kit to assist school leaders in fully publication—replete with charts, tables and 400 Maryland Ave., S.W.

September 8 spring season with its June edition, “Child

Health and Nutrition,” which highlighted
of particular interest to America’s families. The
show examined how excellence in teaching is
implementing the accountability provisions
of the No Child Left Behind Act for students
illustrations—includes:
> Testimonials by educators who have
Washington, DC 20202

The Achiever is a monthly publication

Technology School Introduces World Studies Program
International Literacy Day,
sponsored by the United
national and local programs that encourage
children to eat right and exercise. The show
at the core of the nation’s long-term competi-
tiveness, with a videotaped story of IBM’s
with disabilities as well as those of the
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.
successfully used alternate assessments;
> Sound practices for systematically monitor-
for parents and community leaders from
the Office of Communications and to Help Prepare Florida Students for New Global Era

‘‘
Outreach, U.S. Department of Education
also discussed nutrition guidelines from the Transition to Teaching program and conversa- The Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing ing student progress; (ED). Margaret Spellings, secretary.
Nations Educational, Scientific Lee Academy of World Studies has taken its students on a trip around the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new food tions with the 2006 National Association of Students With Disabilities provides up-to- > Tips for parents on developing children’s Comments? Contact Nicole Ashby,
and Cultural Organization. date guidance on assessing the achievement reading skills; editor, at 202-205-0676 (fax), or world—without them ever having to leave their desks. With the help of the
pyramid and featured a pilot program in Secondary School Principals of the Year.
With nearly 775 million people Wisconsin that is spreading throughout the May’s show highlighted best practices of and progress of special education students.
It also includes a series of technical assis-
> Tangible symbols for communicating with
severely disabled individuals;
[email protected].
Address changes and subscriptions?
Now we Internet and an array of high-tech gadgets, its children have
discovered over the past year that the world is far bigger
over the age of 15 who are illit- Appleton Area School District with the help school choice in California and Florida and
erate, of whom two-thirds are of a physical education program grant from a compelling story of a grandmother-activist tance products that offer practical,
research-based approaches
> A schoolwide model for promoting positive
behavior; and
Contact 1-877-4ED-PUBS, or
[email protected]. have than their Tampa, Fla., neighborhood.
The 2005–06 school year was the first for the world
the Education Department. from Washington, D.C., whose nephew is Information on ED programs, resources
women, this observance
highlights the importance of
Other editions of the monthly news show benefiting from the D.C. Opportunity
Scholarship Program.
> A manual on appropriate accommodations
for instructing and assessing students with
and events? Contact 1-800-USA-LEARN,
or [email protected].
something studies curriculum. After more than a decade of serving as a
technology magnet school, Lee broadened its K–5 program by
were: “Helping America’s Youth: Engaging
literacy worldwide. Visit At-Risk Students,” “Inspiring Excellence:
Great Teachers, Great Principals,” and “New
Each month, Education News Parents Can
Use showcases: schools and school districts
disabilities in regular classes.
The Tool Kit on Teaching and Assessing Stu-
The Achiever contains news and information
about and from public and private organizations to link [the globalizing the social studies curriculum and adding foreign
language studies. “Downloading information about countries
http://portal.unesco.org and for the reader's information. Inclusion does not

click on “Education.”
Tools for Parents: Getting Informed and
Getting Involved.”
from across the country; conversations
with school officials, parents and education
dents With Disabilities is a joint effort of the
Office of Elementary and Secondary Educa-
constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Depart-
ment of Education of any products or services
technology] and studying them is so much easier than saying, ‘Okay, let’s
talk about technology,’” explained Principal Mamie
tion and the Office of Special Education and offered or views expressed. This publication
The March edition focused on a youth
development initiative led by first lady Laura
experts; and advice and free resources for
parents and educators. Rehabilitative Services. Free copies may be
also contains hyperlinks and URLs created
and maintained by outside organizations and
to. Buzzetti. “Now we have something to link it to.”

downloaded at www.osepideasthatwork.org provided for the reader’s convenience. The > continued on page 3
Bush and similar programs nationwide that To view past broadcasts, visit www.ed.gov
and ordered on CD-ROM by calling Department is not responsible for the accuracy
are providing at-risk youths with the tools, and click on “Parents,” then “News Parents of this information.
community support and role models Can Use,” or call toll-free 1-800-USA-LEARN. 1-877-4ED-PUBS with identification number
EHE0110C, while supplies last.
page 5 page 6