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Karen Ellis meets with Secretary of Education Rod Paige

Karen Ellis and Rod Paige

U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige speaks with Founder Karen Ellis of Educational CyberPlayGround. He visited Conestoga High School to observe the start-up of an Internet based education portal. 11/10/2001

Philadelphia Inquirer Thursday, October 11, 2001 Suburbs C B3
U.S. education secretary calls for high science and math goals."Education is a national security issue," he said.
By Connie Langland <clangland@phillynews.com>
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Full Story http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/2001/10/11/local_news/SEDUC11.htm

U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige said yesterday that creating a national education system that sets high standards in math, science and other basic skills is an essential part of building a strong nation.

"Education is a national security issue," Paige told education researchers from six nations who are meeting in Philadelphia.

-- snip --

FEDERAL EDUCATION ACT DEFINES ARTS AS "CORE SUBJECT" NEW LAW PLACES ARTS ON SAME FOOTING AS OTHER ACADEMIC SUBJECTS

(Providence, RI) - The new Education Act, signed into law by President Bush, does more than redefine the federal role in education. It also establishes the arts as a "core academic subject" in elementary and secondary schools, on an equal footing with math, science and English.

Secretary of Education Rod Paige, in a recent interview, said, "I think music and arts education should be considered a core subject. There is absolutely no conflict between the expansion of our fine-arts programs and our music programs and focus on other academic programs. The whole thing means we want excellence."

Declaring the arts a "core academic subject" is a victory for artists and arts educators, who have long argued that the arts are a basic part of education, not only for the value of learning about different art forms and cultures, but also because the arts help all children to learn in verbal and
non-verbal ways.

This declaration is particularly important in Rhode Island, according to State Arts Council director Randall Rosenbaum. "The arts play a significant role in education reform here in Rhode Island." says Rosenbaum. "The State Department of Education and the Arts Council have been exploring ways in which the arts can be part of every young person's educational experience.

Through this language whenever national programs are targeted to "core academic subjects" as defined in the act, the arts will be eligible to receive federal funds. This means more opportunities for support in such areas as teacher training, professional development, and technology.

The Rhode Island State Council on the Arts is a state agency supported by appropriations from the Rhode Island General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. RISCA provides grants, technical assistance and staff support to arts organizations and artists, schools, community centers, social service organizations and local governments to bring the arts into the lives of Rhode Islanders.

Remarks as prepared for delivery by U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige
Release of The Nation's Report Card
Fourth-grade Reading 2000
National Center for Education Statistics
Washington, D.C.
April 6, 2001
http://www.ed.gov/Speeches/04-2001/010406.html

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Department of Education Secretary Rod Paige calls on educators and school boards to support a new technology push. Speaking at the January 25th National Summit on Education Technology, Paige said "It's pointless to integrate [computers and online links] if they don't add value to the curriculum," and urged schools to collaborate with private industry to ensure technology investments don't go to waste.

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