Newsletters
Please be Advised: Limited Web Updates
Pursuant to Senate policy, e-newsletters, opinion polls, issue alerts and other electronic communications cannot be initiated by Sen. Murkowski's office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. During that time, press releases and upcoming events will remain up-to-date.… Continue Reading
06.22.10
Sen. Murkowski's e-newsletter for June 22, 2010
Wednesday, June 22, 2010 Keeping Alaskans Underway Sen. Murkowski christens the M/V Susitna as Randy Johnson, President of Alaska Ship and Drydock, looks on. It was a pleasure to be in my hometown of Ketchikan recently to christen the new M/V Susitna. The construction of the M/V Susitna is a tremendous accomplishment, and the performance of the Ketchikan shipyard should be applauded. This project is the product of collaboration between many different p… Continue Reading
06.21.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of June 21, 2010
What Works Clearinghouse Releases Intervention Report and Quick Review WWC this week released an Intervention Report on "Project Creating Independence through Student-owned Strategies" (Project CRISS), a "professional development program for teachers aimed at improving reading, writing, and learning for 3rd-12th grade students". Two of the 31 studies reviewed met WWC standards. Based on these studies, WWC found that Project CRISS has potentially positive effects on comprehension. The Interve… Continue Reading
06.14.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of June 14, 2010
What Works Clearinghouse Review on "Read Well" Program for English Language Learners This week, WWC released a review of research on the effectiveness of the "Read Well" program, a curriculum for kindergarten and first grade English language learners that provides instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency. WWC reviewed five studies that investigated the effects of "Read Well" and found that one met WWC evidence standards. Based on that study, WWC deter… Continue Reading
06.10.10
Senator Murkowski's eNewsletter for June 10, 2010
Thursday June 10, 2010 Thoughts and Photos from my Memorial Day Week Trip to Alaska I spent the Memorial Day congressional recess back home in Alaska, holding community meetings, gathering with Alaska veterans to honor their service and participating in a women's leadership conference in Anchorage. I wanted to use this week's e-newsletter to share with you some of my thoughts as well as photos from my trip. Observing Memorial Day with Alaska's Heroes While attending a Memorial Day cer… Continue Reading
06.07.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of June 7, 2010
Alaska Meets Requirements for IDEA USED released notification of states' 2008 progress in meeting the requirements of IDEA for Part B (ages 3-21) and Part C (birth through age 2) compliance. Alaska meets requirements for Part B, and Needs Assistance (for two consecutive years) for Part C. If a state "needs assistance" for two consecutive years, the Department must take one or more enforcement actions, including among others, requiring the state to receive technical assistance, designating th… Continue Reading
05.28.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of May 28, 2010
New E-Rate Regulations Proposed The FCC is proposing new regulations governing the e-rate program. Please note that comments must be received within 30 days of May 20th, the date the proposed regulations were published in the Federal Register. Among other changes, the FCC proposes to change the definition of "rural" to conform to the 2006 USED Locale Codes. More information can be found at http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/rural_locales.asp and http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/PDF/states/AK.pdf. USED Appro… Continue Reading
05.28.10
Senator Murkowski's eNewsletter for May 28, 2010
Friday may 28, 2010 Update on the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Sen. Murkowski this week visited the Gulf of Mexico as part of a bipartisan Senate delegation to examine the damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Pictured with Sen. Murkowski are, from left, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Sens. Dick Durbin, Mary Landrieu, Jeff Bingaman and Sheldon Whitehouse as they view response efforts first hand during a flyover of areas affected by the spill. (U.S. Coast Guard phot… Continue Reading
05.24.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of May 24, 2010
Some Lower 48 Head Start Programs Under Investigation The Government Accountability Office (GAO) received allegations that employees of two large Head Start grantees in the Midwest and Texas intentionally enrolled ineligible children. After verifying these allegations, the GAO investigated other Head Start grantees in six Lower-48 states and Washington, D.C. Employees at seven of the grantees' centers acted within the law, while employees at seven others did not. The House Education and Labo… Continue Reading
05.10.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of May 10, 2010
Grants Update Promise Neighborhoods: The Federal Register Notice inviting applications is now online at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-10492.htm. The deadline to submit an intent-to-apply letter is May 21st. The application deadline is June 25th. The purpose of Promise Neighborhoods is to improve significantly the educational and developmental outcomes of children in our most distressed communities (through) a complete through a continuum of cradle-through-college-to-career solutio… Continue Reading
05.05.10
Senator Murkowski's eNewsletter for May 5, 2010
Wednesday May 5, 2010 A Visit of Olympic Proportion Sen. Murkowski and Sen. Begich with Alaska's Olympic and Paralympic Athletes. Back row, from left: Holly Brooks, James Southam, Sen. Murkowski, Sen. Begich, Callan Chythlook-Sifsof and Kikkan Randall. Front row, from left: Joseph Tompkins and Kerry Weiland. Recently, Sen. Begich and I welcomed Alaska's Olympic and Paralympic athletes to Washington. Alaska's Olympians were in town as part of a Team USA visit to the White House where they we… Continue Reading
05.03.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of May 3, 2010
New Source for Research on Early Childhood Education for Children with Disabilities The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) has launched a Topic Area: Early Childhood Education for Children with Disabilities. The new Topic Area debuts with a first report, available at http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/reports/ece_cd/dialogic_reading/index.asp that looks at the research on dialogic reading, an interactive reading practice which uses picture books designed to enhance language and literacy skills. Based on … Continue Reading
04.26.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of April 26, 2010
Senate HELP Committee Seeks Your Input on NCLB Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman, and Senator Mike Enzi, Ranking Member (senior Minority member) of the Senate HELP Committee are soliciting comments from educators and the public on the reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (aka No Child Left Behind). This invitation has been sent to the various national education associations and is now being extended to state agencies, state associations, and individuals. If you would care to c… Continue Reading
04.19.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of April 19, 2010
Senator Murkowski Questions Witnesses at Senate HELP Hearings on the No Child Left Behind Act This week, Senator Murkowski participated in two Senate HELP Committee hearings in preparation for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), otherwise known as NCLB. You might be interested in watching Senator Murkowski's interaction https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Education with two witnesses at Tuesday's hearing, ESEA Reauthorization - School Turn… Continue Reading
04.16.10
Senator Murkowski's eNewsletter for April 16, 2010
Friday APRIL 16, 2010 Working to Combat Domestic Violence in Alaska by Choosing Respect In Anchorage, Sen. Murkowski took part in the 'Choose Respect' March against domestic violence. Carrying the banner with Sen. Murkowski are (from left) State Sen. Lesil McGuire, Attorney General Dan Sullivan, Anchorage Assembly Member Elvi Gray-Jackson and Denise Morris, executive director of the Alaska Native Justice Center. While back home recently, I participated in an Anchorage rally calling on Alask… Continue Reading
04.12.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of April 12, 2010
Notifications for College On Monday, USED released the following two notifications. Senator Murkowski thought they might be interesting to you. Enactment of the Student Aid Provisions of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN1005.html Launch of 2010 Public Service Campaign-I'm Going: College.gov http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/032910Lauch2010PubServiCampaign.html Please note also that we are in the process of updating the information av… Continue Reading
04.02.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of April 2, 2010
Deadline Looming to Comment on Draft Common Core Standards If you intend to comment on the Draft Common Core Standards, you need to do so by Friday, April 2nd. You can review the Draft Common Core Standards and comment on them via a 10-minute survey at www.corestandards.org. The Common Core effort is the result of a partnership between the National Governor's Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. The U.S. Department of Education has leveraged this effort by tying stimul… Continue Reading
03.29.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of March 29, 2010
Application Period Opens for USED Grants A number of grants from the U.S. Department of Education are open for application, including School Leadership Grant Program, Foreign Language Assistance Program, Improving Literacy Through School Libraries, and the Investing in Innovation Fund (I3). You can find all current USED grant opportunities at www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/grantapps/index.html?src=rt. In addition, information about Race to the Top funds can be found at www2.ed.gov/programs/racet… Continue Reading
03.22.10
Sen. Murkowski's eNewsletter for the March 22, 2010
Monday March 22, 2010 Iditarod 2010! I was thrilled to be in Anchorage for the ceremonial start of the 38th Annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. I always look forward to coming home for Alaska's Last Great Race and meeting the race fans, canine athletes and mushers. Sen. Murkowski visits with musher DeeDee Jonrowe at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod. Sen. Murkowski chats with musher Martin Buser. Sen. Murkowski and musher John Baker share a laugh. Congratulations, Lance Mackey! I c… Continue Reading
03.22.10
Sen. Murkowski's Education Newsletter for the week of March 22, 2010
Readable PDF Version Opportunities for Grants and Positive Recognition Bank of American Foundation Educational Grants support K-12 and higher education, with an emphasis on ESL and early childhood initiatives and professional development. Eligibility is limited to school districts. See http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation for each individual state's applicable funding areas. DonorsChoose.org Grants is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools ofte… Continue Reading
