Afternoon Announcements: Arne Duncan Says, “We Have to Get Better Faster”

The debate over whether to grade schools is in the limelight after Tony Bennett’s resignation as Florida Chief Education Commissioner. Cheating allegations against Bennett bring into question the validity of the A-F grading system that Florida started for schools 14 years ago. Tampa Bay Times 

All six states that won grants in early rounds of the Race to the Top early-learning challenge will get a combined $89 million to help improve early-childhood education. The states that will split the prize are California, Coloador, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Politics K-12

Alabama’s State Department of Education is working to find ways to engage students and improve teaching and learning. The Department joined city and county superintendents last week to present the Comprehensive System of Learning Supports design document. Education Week

Education Secretary Arne Duncan said that, “We have to get better faster,” talking about the American education system and reforms that the Obama administration has put in place. WBUR