2. Giving Youth a Voice

We can’t improve education if we don’t listen to students, Secretary Duncan often explains when he talks about the need for an ongoing conversation with students, teachers and parents. As part of that ongoing conversation, some of the Secretary’s top advisers met with a group of students from the National Campaign for Quality Education last month to discuss ideas on education reform and how we can increase student achievement throughout the country.

Read the community outreach team’s blog Here.

3. Equity and Excellence Commission

The Equity and Excellence Commission will examine the disparities in meaningful educational opportunities that give rise to the achievement gap, with a focus on systems of finance, and recommend ways in which federal policies could address such disparities. The commission is comprised of 27 members from a range of backgrounds, including education, law, tax, government, business, and civil rights. Currently the Commission has hosted town hall meetings in San Jose, California (April 21), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (April 29), Kansas City, Missouri (May 7) Dallas, Texas (June 8), and held a community conversation in Boston, Massachusetts (June 10). Visit their Webpage to find out more details and information on how to RSVP for their events.