ANOTHER POSITIVE STEP FOR ESEA REAUTHORIZATION: Testifying Before Congress, Duncan Calls for Reauthorization in 2010, Receives Praise for Bipartisan Outreach: On February 18, key Democratic and Republican leaders of the House Education and Labor Committee announced plans for a bipartisan reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In a March 3 hearing, the chairman and the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee both reiterated the goal of a bipartisan ESEA reauthorization in 2010 while praising U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for his outreach to both parties and both chambers.

DON’T LEAVE ACCOUNTABILITY BEHIND: Joint Report from Alliance and NCLB Commission Argues for ESEA Reauthorization: A new report argues the promise of education reform efforts such as Race to the Top and the state-led common standards movement, can only be sustained if Congress and the Obama administration update and improve the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

CLOSING THE EXPECTATIONS GAP: A Measure of State Progress in Adopting College- and Career-Ready Policies: A new report from Achieve finds that states have made steady progress in implementing a college- and career-ready agenda in high schools but notes that few advancements have been made by states in adopting comprehensive accountability systems. According to Closing the Expectations Gap, Texas is the only state to have all five measures of college and career readiness in place, including high standards, graduation requirements, rigorous assessments, P–20 student tracking data, and strong accountability systems.

GAINING GROUND IN THE MIDDLE GRADES: New EdSource Study Finds Higher-Performing Middle Schools Share Similar Practices: A new comprehensive study of California’s middle schools finds that higher-performing schools share common practices and philosophies, including a districtwide and schoolwide culture that is dedicated to academic improvements for all students and a clear and defined commitment to preparing all students for a challenging high school education.

CONGRESS TO BEGIN ESEA REAUTHORIZATION: In Joint Statement, House Democrats and Republicans Outline Plans for a Bipartisan Reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act: In a statement released on February 18, the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House Education and Labor Committee announced plans for a bipartisan reform of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

THE ONLINE LEARNING IMPERATIVE: New Alliance Brief Says Online Learning Can Combat “Perfect Storm” of Teacher Shortages, State Budget Shortfalls, and Low Student Achievement: A new brief from the Alliance for Excellent Education details how the integral use of online technology in today’s secondary school classrooms can strengthen the teacher workforce, improve student outcomes, and allow states to do more despite flat education budgets.

AP REPORT TO THE NATION: Equity Gap Persists in Participation in and Student Performance on the Advanced Placement Test: The College Board’s annual report summarizing student performance on the Advanced Placement (AP) test found that despite an increase in the number of students participating in and experiencing success on the test, the equity and excellence gaps between white and minority students persist.

STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESSES: States Make Due with Massive Budget Deficits: This article highlights state of the state speeches from the governors of Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Utah.

PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCES RACE TO THE TOP HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT CHALLENGE: On February 18, President Obama announced a new Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge open to all public high schools around the country. The winning high school will have President Obama deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2010.