Emphasizing the need for additional effective education entrepreneurs to join the work of reforming America’s lowest performing public schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told reporters during a conference call this afternoon that states must be open to charter schools. Too much is at stake for states financially and for students academically to restrict choice and innovation.

“States that do not have public charter laws or put artificial caps on the growth of charter schools will jeopardize their applications under the Race to the Top Fund,” Secretary Duncan said. “To be clear, this administration is not looking to open unregulated and unaccountable schools. We want real autonomy for charters combined with a rigorous authorization process and high performance standards.”

This summer, the Department of Education begins accepting state applications for the federal government’s largest one-time investment in K-12 public school reform. By the end of the year, the department will be distributing grants from the $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund. Also, $1.5 billion in Title I School Improvement Program funds is available to improve teaching and learning for all children.

“I am advocating for using whatever models work for students, and particularly where improvements have stagnated for years,” Secretary Duncan said. “We cannot continue to do that same thing and expect different results. We cannot let another generation of children be deprived of their civil right to a quality education.”

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the award of $18.5 million to enhance libraries in 57 low-income school districts across the United States. The grants will help schools improve reading achievement by providing students with increased access to current school library materials; technologically advanced media centers; and professionally certified media specialists.

“Encouraging students to improve their reading is a key to their success in school and in life,” Secretary Duncan said. “These grants help schools give students access to the most up-to-date books, technology, and highly trained library personnel to improve teaching and learning and to challenge students to achieve.”

Funded through the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program, grants can be used to acquire books and other library holdings; improve school libraries’ technological resources and capabilities; facilitate Internet links and other resource-sharing networks; provide professional development for library personnel; enhance opportunities for collaboration among library specialists, teachers and administrators; and expand hours of access to library services.

For more information about the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program, visit: www.ed.gov/programs/lsl and for the list of grantees and abstracts, visithttp://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/awards.html