Schools and community organizations that want to use K-12 facilities for mentoring, academic enrichment, and health services could get an assist from the federal government under a bill introduced yesterday by Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., the House Majority Leader, and Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, a moderate Democrat who is often a key swing vote. The bill would be aimed at expanding the reach of "full-service community schools." It would help schools, community organizations, and private-public partnerships offer a whole range of programs, including remedial education and academic enrichment, family literacy, mental health, adult education, nutrition services, and early childhood ...

Observers say he may push back on some of the Obama administration's K-12 priorities.

This means that the Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, the second ranking Democrat on the committee, has a chance to step in.

Wakefield High School students call the speech flap "pointless" and "kind of dumb."

Ed. Sec. Duncan says that the education debate too often today focuses "on adult issues and adult drama.”

The president's noon speech is unquestionably a feel-good pep talk about personal responsibility.

The stimulus slowpokes are Alaska, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and New Mexico.

Rep. John Kline, the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee, sent a letter to the White House asking President Barack Obama to publicly release the text of his back-to-school address to kids, to be delivered next week. (According to this Washington Post story, Obama already had planned to do just that). UPDATE: And indeed, the White House said today that the text of the speech will be available on Monday at whitehouse.gov. As you may know, some Texas districts have expressed qualms about letting kids listen, because of language in one of the lesson plans accompanying ...

Obama's Sept. 8 speech will echo many themes from his campaign, and kick off a $1,000 contest for students.

By guest blogger Erik Robelen: As school districts, charter operators, and other nonprofits anxiously await further details from the Education Department on the $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund, Congress appears disinclined to pony up much, if any, extra money down the road to keep the program going. President Obama had asked for an additional $100 million in fiscal 2010 to extend the program, first created under the federal economic-stimulus law earlier this year. The House responded by offering up all of $3 million in the budget bill for the Education Department it passed in late July. And that was ...