The Friday Memo

              March 13, 2009
President outlines education policy in major address
On March 10, at a meeting of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President Obama delivered the first major education speech of his presidency. “The relative decline of American education is untenable for our economy, it's unsustainable for our democracy, it's unacceptable for our children, and we can't afford to let it continue," the President said.
The President proposed five pillars of education reform: Investing in early childhood; Encouraging better standards and assessments; Recruiting, preparing, and rewarding outstanding teachers; Promoting innovation and excellence in America's schools; Providing every American with a quality higher education.
Read the Speech
Watch the Speech
Secretary Duncan, Jill Biden key on importance of community colleges Secretary Arne Duncan and Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, held a panel discussion at Miami Dade College to exchange ideas on improving the nation's higher education system and the importance of community colleges in job creation. "As a community college professor [at Northern Virginia Community College], I can see first-hand the significant and critical role that community colleges play in educating students and preparing them for a fiercely competitive workforce," Dr. Biden emphasized. They also talked about how federal stimulus funds will help make college more affordable for families. Of the $30.8 billion in the stimulus money for higher education, $17 billion will be used to close the shortfall within the Pell Grant program and boost grant amounts by $500 to $5,350 in the first year. Such an increase in aid will benefit low-income students who are disproportionately represented at community colleges. UPCOMING
March 18 Governor’s Budget Address to the General Assembly Legislative Reception of the Higher Education Legislative Coalition, Illinois State Museum, Springfield 20 ICCB meeting, College of Lake County, Grayslake IBHE Faculty Advisory Council, Chicago State University April 3 ISAC meeting, Harper College, Palatine 7 IBHE Meeting, Springfield 22 Student Lobby Day, Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities