America's Promise Alliance June 4

I am excited to have a common framework from which to share best practices with fellow superintendents across the nation. With students, parents, and teachers all on the same page and working together for shared goals, we can ensure that students make progress each year and graduate from school prepared to succeed and build a strong future for themselves and the country." -- Steve Paine, West Virginia State Superintendent of Schools

Only one week remains to apply for My Idea Grants!
America's Promise Alliance and AT&T are looking for the energy, enthusiasm, creativity and commitment to help make this country a Grad Nation through the My Idea Grants program. My Idea will empower young people to examine the high school dropout crisis and take action to help more of their peers to graduate on time. National grants of $10,000-$20,000 will be awarded to 20 - 25 youth for the best of the submitted ideas to help increase a community's graduation rate anywhere in the United States. Additional opportunities are available for young people in Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson, Louisville, Nashville, New York, New Orleans, Oakland, and Washington, D.C., with grants of $500-$1500 to support targeted local projects. more
Common Core State Standards for public schools released

Governors and state school officials presented their final proposal for English and math standards aimed at uniformly preparing children across the country for college and career success June 2. The Common Core State Standards Initiative, led by the National Governor's Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, establishes clear and specific expected learning outcomes for each grade level regarding academic content and the application of knowledge through high-order skills. The new standards are meant to eliminate variation in requirements and benchmarking from state to state. more
Plan now for Summer Learning Day 2010: June 21

This year marks the seventh annual celebration of Summer Learning Day. It will also be the first year that Summer Learning Day is held on the first day of summer, June 21. Over 500 events in 49 states were registered in 2009-double the number of events the previous year. Now is the time to start planning your Summer Learning Day event. This national advocacy day is a great opportunity to showcase your program and get the word out about the importance of summer learning. Host an event during the week of June 21 or anytime during the month of June. more

Collaboration Prize will award $250,000 to nonprofits that best work together; apply by July 16

The Lodestar Foundation has launched the 2011 Collaboration Prize, a national award designed to identify and showcase models of collaboration among nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits across the country can apply for the Prize until July 16. The prize, which will be announced in April 2011, will recognize eight collaborations that best exemplify the impact that can result from working together. Each of the eight finalists will receive $12,500 and the grand prize winner will receive an additional $150,000. more
Are our kids getting enough math and science education?

Americans are convinced that math and science skills are crucial for the future, according to a new Public Agenda survey that found strong majorities who say there will be more jobs and college opportunities for students with those skills. But while there's broad support from parents and the general public for K-12 national standards, over half of parents surveyed say the math and science their child is getting in school is "fine as it is." Those are among the many surprising realities facing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in public schools, according to "Are We Beginning to See the Light?" More than 1,400 individuals were surveyed nationwide, including 646 parents of children grades K-12. more

Let's Move Outside! gives parents tools to get families moving outdoors
Kids need at least 60 minutes of active and vigorous play each day, and one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to meet this goal is by playing outside. Let's Move Outside! gives parents the tools they need to get their families moving outdoors. By linking parents to nearby parks, trails and waters - and providing tips and ideas - Let's Move Outside! will help families become healthier and develop a more active lifestyle. more

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

With the larger focus on social networking across all sectors, Twitter and Facebook have emerged as excellent ways to stay informed about issues and news affecting young people and practitioners. We invite you to follow our Twitter feed (@fivepromises) and Facebook page to stay up to date on the work of the Alliance and related news.
Weekly News Highlights

Obama's 'Race to the Top' Education Fund Draws Fewer States - Jun 2, 2010 - BusinessWeek


Free books block 'summer slide' in low-income students - June 1, 2010 - USA Today

Gender Gap for the Gifted in City Schools - May 31, 2010 - New York Times

Child Gun Deaths as Common in Rural as Urban Areas - May 31, 2010 - Reuters

Job Outlook for Teenagers Worsens - May 31, 2010 - New York Times

Degrees of Difficulty: Does finishing college have to be so hard? - May 31, 2010 - USA Today

Child Mortality Rates Dropping, Study Finds, but U.S. Lags - May 31, 2010 - Los Angeles Times