Education News Parents Can Use: A television series about ways to ensure children’s educational success

January 7, 2004

The January 2004 broadcast of Education News Parents Can Use celebrates the second anniversary of the “No Child Left Behind Act” and its improvements for education in communities throughout the nation. At the very heart of the No Child Left Behind Act is a commitment to eliminate the large and persistent achievement gap that has historically existed at all grade levels between white students and their minority peers.

Recent results from the 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress’ test of the nation’s fourth and eighth graders in mathematics and reading revealed promising signs that the achievement gap is starting to narrow, with significant improvements among African American, Hispanic and low-income students.

This edition of Education News will feature interviews and discussions with Department officials, educators, researchers and parents to explain the challenge of our nation’s achievement gap and how school systems and communities across the country are using the tools in No Child Left Behind to ensure all children are successful. In addition, the show will profile the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which honors high-performing schools that demonstrate a dramatic narrowing of the achievement gap.

The evening’s conversation will explore key questions such as:

  • What does America’s achievement gap look like in 2004?
  • How is No Child Left Behind enabling schools and communities to help alleviate the gap?
  • What are the best ways to ensure that minority and low-income students succeed?
  • How does annual testing and reporting keep schools accountable and parents informed about their child’s progress?
  • What strategies are working in urban and rural settings to close the gap and ensure all students achieve?
  • What makes an “excellent” school?
  • What are the most effective ways for parents to get involved and ensure their child has access to a quality education?

Don’t forget to register!

NOTE: If you registered last season or only for one broadcast this season – you will need to register for this program. Visit http://www.ed.gov/news/av/video/edtv/index.html for more information.

Just select the “FAQ’s” if you need assistance on :

  • How to Register
  • Technical Assistance for Satellite Downlink Sites
  • Viewing Options, including webcast
  • And, much more…

Contact Information:
Please contact Education.TV@ed.gov or 800-USA-LEARN for any questions.

    Education News contributing, broadcast and cable partners include Discovery Communications, the Public Broadcasting Service, Alliance for Community Media, Flying Colors Broadcasts, ConnectLive and Channel One.

    Use, duplication and distribution of Education News Parents Can Use is free and unrestricted.


Ida R. Eblinger Kelley
U.S. Department of Education
Ida.Kelley@ed.gov