Obama says administration taking steps to help states, local schools but parents are key

October 13th, 2009 AP Interview: Ed chief says grants are for reformsWASHINGTON — With states jockeying for extra school dollars from the economic stimulus, Education Secretary Arne Duncan reminded them Tuesday the point is to help kids do better. Cash-strapped states are competing for $5 billion in grants from the economic stimulus for changes the Obama administration wants, such as charter schools and teacher pay based on student performance.

October 1st, 2009 Obama: These are challenging times for statesWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he is committed to helping keep Democrats in governors' offices across the country and move their states forward, starting with changes to the health care system. At a Democratic Governors Association fundraiser, Obama said it's no secret that these are challenging times for the states and the nation.

September 22nd, 2009 GAO: Feds failed to tell schools of suspect foodWASHINGTON — Federal authorities failed to tell schools about recalls of potentially tainted peanut products and canned vegetables, and cafeterias may have unknowingly served them to children, the Government Accountability Office reported Tuesday. A GAO investigation found the Agriculture Department didn't always make sure states and schools were notified promptly about recalled food distributed through the federal school lunch and breakfast programs, which serve 30 million students.

September 8th, 2009 Obama to tell students to take responsibilityWASHINGTON — Take responsibility for your education. Go to class and listen.

September 7th, 2009 Laura Bush backs Obama on school speechWASHINGTON — Former first lady Laura Bush on Monday expressed support for President Barack Obama's decision to speak to the nation's school children, saying it is "really important for everyone to respect the president of the United States." In an interview with CNN, Mrs. Bush, a former school teacher, said, "There's a place for the president of the United States to talk to school children and encourage school children" to stay in school.

August 26th, 2009 Obama wants states to overhaul failing schoolsWASHINGTON — The Obama administration is making good on a promise to use federal dollars to prod local officials to turn around failing schools. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Wednesday told states how he wants them to spend $3.5 billion in money from the federal School Improvement Fund.

August 22nd, 2009 Teachers' union criticizes Obama on schools stanceWASHINGTON — The National Education Association pointedly criticized the Obama administration, saying the president is relying too heavily on charter schools and standardized tests in his attempt to overhaul the nation's schools. "We urge the administration to step outside of this narrow agenda," the nation's largest teachers union said in a public statement filed Friday with the Education Department.

August 7th, 2009 Gov't reassures schools on staying open with fluWASHINGTON — The government said Friday that schools should only close this fall if large numbers of students have swine flu, and could allow their sick kids to return 24 hours after a fever is gone. The decision on closing rests with local school officials, but they have been looking to the federal government for advice about the new flu strain that has caused a global epidemic.

August 7th, 2009 Education Sec'y: Schools key to combating H1N1WASHINGTON — Education Secretary Arne Duncan says the nation's schools will be a focal point of efforts to protect this fall against the spread of the swine flu virus. Interviewed Friday morning on CBS's "The Early Show," Duncan said people should expect a "tiered response" from the federal government to any escalation in the number of infections.

August 6th, 2009 Feds to issue new swine flu advice to schoolsWASHINGTON — Swine flu is expected to return when kids go back to school, and the government is hoping its new advice on when to shut down schools during an outbreak will prevent the panic and confusion that led to hundreds of school closures last spring. The government was to issue new guidance Friday for schools to follow when swine flu strikes.

May 11th, 2009 Obama wants to see 5,000 failing schools closeWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama wants to see 5,000 failing schools close and reopen with new principals and teachers over the next five years. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says kids have only one shot at a good education.

May 8th, 2009 AP source: Obama wants to extend voucher programWASHINGTON — An administration official says President Barack Obama wants to extend the school voucher program in the District of Columbia until students now in the program graduate from high school. Obama plans to release his proposal in detail on Thursday.

May 5th, 2009 US no longer advising schools close for swine fluATLANTA — U.S. health officials are no longer recommending that schools close because of swine flu.

April 30th, 2009 Advice for schools on swine fluPresident Barack Obama said Wednesday that schools should close temporarily if any students have confirmed or suspected cases of swine flu. He was reiterating guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Education Department.

April 30th, 2009 Obama: Can't go on with broken immigration systemWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the United States can't continue with a "broken" immigration system. He says it's not good for anybody.