Morning Announcements: August 5, 2010

Yesterday the U.S. Senate cleared the way for a $26-billion aid package for cash-strapped states; $10 billion would go towards retaining teachers while $16 billion would help states close budget deficits, the New York Times reports.

The U.S. Department of Education announced yesterday that 49 districts, schools, and nonprofits won a total of $650 million in Investing in Innovation (I3) grants. Education Week reports that the winners will focus their work in 250 different project locations spanning 42 states plus the District of Columbia, and 37 percent say they intend to serve rural school districts.

An editorial in the Montgomery Advertiser calls for Congress to change not scrap No Child Left Behind.

The Billings Gazette editorial staff calls for community members to come together to prevent high school dropouts.

In North Carolina, the Chamber of Commerce is holding an education summit on how to promote public schools through businesses.

High school students in Utah have the opportunity to take the ACT college admission test this school year free of charge. The Salt Lake Tribune reports this is part of a state pilot program to promote college and career readiness.