ED.gov Blog

5 Tips to Encourage Reading at Home

A man is sitting on the floor with a toddler on his lap as they read from an open, picture book together.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, captured the essence and importance of reading with this simple quote. Whether it is learning the art of how to read or reading to learn important information, engaging children to read is key. The fundamental skill of reading can be difficult for some children. Finding ways to make the reading experience enjoyable can influence a child’s reading success.

6 Things to Know about the Education Freedom Scholarships

3 elementary aged students play games on iPads and use headphones.

This proposal would empower students and families to choose the best education setting for them – regardless of where they live, how much they make, and how they learn.

Here are 6 things you should know about Education Freedom Scholarships:

Posted by
ED Staff
February 26, 2019
Career and Technical Education, Headlines

A male students stands with his arms crossed wearing glasses, a white bottom down shirt and a black kitchen apron.

There are many young adults who find it very difficult to identify their career passion and explore how to turn that passion into a successful career. That was me, until I discovered my high school’s Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program. This program helped me discover my passion for Culinary Arts. My culinary class was the class I would look forward to every day, because it is what spoke to me and what I wanted to pursue as a career. It was my participation in this program that introduced me to Career and Technical Education (CTE) and helped me understand what FCS and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) were all about.

Posted by
Dioselina De La Cruz
February 19, 2019
Career and Technical Education, Headlines

A high school girl, dressed in business professional clothes, stands in a hallway with her arms crossed.

It was during my freshman year of high school when I first realized that STEM was not the career pathway I wanted to pursue. While I understood the importance of a strong foundation in STEM fundamentals, my real passion was business.

5 Ways Agricultural Education and FFA Shape Students’ Futures

6 Students, 3 females, 3 males, sit posed in their blue and yellow FFA jackets, white shirts and blue ties. Agricultural education and FFA have long been essential parts of our nation’s career and technical education system. It’s only fitting during National CTE Month to celebrate how FFA and agricultural education play a crucial role in defining a student’s path toward new and significant achievements.

Career Pathways, Post-Secondary Options…Call on the Experts

A teacher leans over a desk and writes in a notebook where a high school girl student works on a laptop

We call in the experts when we need brake service on our car, electrical work in our home, or tax planning for our future. The experts who our students can turn to about career pathways and post-secondary options are in our schools, poised to guide, advocate for, and support students on their journey. They are school counselors.

How to Deduct Student Loan Interest on your Taxes (1098-E)

Student loans, interest payments, and taxes: three things that have scared many people for years now. Read on to learn how these things can benefit you.

If you made federal student loan payments in 2018, you may be eligible to deduct a portion of the interest paid on your 2018 federal tax return. This is known as a student loan interest deduction. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make the money you’ve paid work for you! Below are some questions and answers to help you learn more about reporting student loan interest payments from IRS Form 1098-E on your 2018 taxes and potentially get this deduction.

You Don’t Have to Pay for Help with Your Student Loans!

You’re at home about to start cooking (or microwaving, no judgment here) dinner when you get a phone call from an unknown number. The person on the other end of the line is promising to help you pay off all of your student loans. All they’re asking for is some of your personal information and an upfront fee. It sounds too good to be true, right? It probably is.

Even if you haven’t gotten a phone call exactly like that, you have probably seen the countless ads on social media offering to help you manage your student loan debt. While the U.S. Department of Education (ED) does offer some legitimate student loan forgiveness programs and ways to lower your student loan payments, they are all free to apply for through your official loan servicer. Don’t pay for help when you can get help for free!

Here are some signs that you’re talking to a student loan debt relief company instead of ED:

As School Choice Programs Grow, We Must Debunk Myths About How Choice Works

a torn piece of brown paper reveals the words 'myths & facts' on a white paper underneath

Charles Spurgeon, the 19th century’s “Prince of Preachers,” said in a sermon, “A lie will go around the world while truth is pulling its boots on.”[1] And in our age of social media, myths often travel faster than realities. As we celebrate National School Choice Week, myths abound concerning educational choice programs such as vouchers, scholarship tax credits, and education savings account programs.

Education Choice: The Opportunity to Learn in Different Ways

4 Elementary aged students hold pencils and write on a piece of paper together

Someone once told me, “You will know you are successful if you can create a school where students line up outside the gates begging to get in, like they do when an iPhone is released at the Apple Store.”

So much of what you hear about school choice has to do with funding, accountability or public versus private schools. These are all important conversations on the topic of school choice and should not be ignored. I think it is also important to highlight the other types of school choice that exist. School choice provides students with opportunities to learn in different ways. As an educator and mother, I encourage everyone participating in the robust school choice debate to join together to create new, innovative, and effective models of learning for students. This is an example where a district (with the same funding and accountability) made big changes and gave parents a choice.

Combating Substance Abuse in Schools

A digital tablet reading 'substance abuse' sits on a table with glasses, a laptop and other medical supplies

In recent years there have been significant increases in alcohol, drug and substance abuse across the country. This abuse has significantly impacted K-12 school-age students as well as those pursuing postsecondary education.

To help combat substance abuse in schools, the Department of Education has developed webinars designed for State-, district- and building-level administrators, teachers and specialized instructional support personnel interested in supporting students and families impacted by the opioid crisis.

In recognition of this year’s National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) scheduled for January 22-27, 2019, the Department is sharing the signs and strategies to help identify and support impacted students below. To view the webinar on this important topic, click here.

Federal Employees: How to manage your student loans during the government shutdown

Are you a federal employee impacted by the partial government shutdown? Here are some options to manage your student loans while you are furloughed or not receiving pay.