The U.S. Department of Education is making efforts to ensure that all students have equal access to a quality education. Today it is announcing the launch of the Excellent Educators for All Initiative. The initiative will help states and school districts support great educators for the students who need them most.
"All children are entitled to a high-quality education regardless of their race, zip code or family income. It is critically important that we provide teachers and principals the support they need to help students reach their full potential" U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "Despite the excellent work and deep commitment of our nation's teachers and principals, students in high-poverty, high-minority schools are unfairly treated across our country. We have to do better. Local leaders and educators will develop their own creative solutions, but we must work together to enhance our focus on how to better recruit, support and retain effective teachers and principals for all students, especially the kids who need them most."
Today's announcement is another important step forward in improving access to a quality education, a component of President Obama's year of action. Later today, Secretary Duncan will lead a round table discussion with principals and school teachers from across the country about the challenges of working in high-need schools and how to adopt promising practices for supporting great educators in these schools.