April 8, 2005
In this Issue

1. Notices Inviting Applications - Training & Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities
   Source: EDInfo@listserv.ed.gov - April 6, 2005
2. Release of Child Maltreatment 2003 Coincides with Start of Child Abuse Prevention Month
   Source: Children's Bureau Express - April 2005 Edition
3. Webcast - School Readiness: Closing Racial and Ethnic Gaps
   Source: Future Of Children - April 4, 2005
4. New GAO Testimonies on Head Start
   Source: Today's GAO Reports - April 5, 2005
5. Secretary Spellings Announces New Approach to Implementing the No Child Left Behind Act
   Source: EDInfo@listserv.ed.gov - April 7, 2005

1. Notices Inviting Applications - Training & Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities
   Source: EDInfo@listserv.ed.gov - April 6, 2005

   Recent notices inviting applications from the U.S. Department of Education:

   • Training & Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities -- Community Parent Resource Centers (Federal Register: April 6, 2005 [CFDA# 84.328C])
     Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive training & information to help improve results for their children.
     Dates: Applications Available: April 7, 2005.
     Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 20, 2005.
     For more information go to http://www2.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2005-2/040605d.html
   • Training & Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities -- Parent Training & Information Centers (Federal Register: April 6, 2005 [CFDA# 84.328M])
     Purpose of Program: The purpose of this program is to ensure that parents of children with disabilities receive training & information to help improve results for their children.
     Dates: Applications Available: April 7, 2005.
     Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 25, 2005.
     For more information go to http://www2.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/announcements/2005-2/040605e.html
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2. Release of Child Maltreatment 2003 Coincides with Start of Child Abuse Prevention Month
   Source: Children's Bureau Express - April 2005 Edition

   Child Maltreatment 2003: Reports from the States to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems - National statistics on child abuse and neglect (2005)
   The release of this new report from the Children's Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families coincides with the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The statistics found in the report are based on information collected through the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. The full report is available on the HHS Children's Bureau website at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm03/index.htm.

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3. Webcast - School Readiness: Closing Racial and Ethnic Gaps
   Source: Future Of Children - April 4, 2005

   On Tuesday, March 15, 2005 the Brookings Institution hosted a conference about School Readiness: Closing Racial and Ethnic Gaps. Panelists discussed the latest Future of Children volume, which focuses on sources of these racial and ethnic gaps in school readiness among preschoolers, and policies that might close these gaps and improve educational outcomes for all children. To view the webcast go to http://www.futureofchildren.princeton.edu/events/march152005.asp

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4. New GAO Testimonies on Head Start
   Source: Today's GAO Reports - April 5, 2005

   The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released the following testimonies:

   • Head Start: Comprehensive Approach to Identifying and Addressing Risks Could Help Prevent Grantee Financial Management Weaknesses. GAO-05-465T, April 5
     http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05465t.pdf
     Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d05465thigh.pdf
   • Head Start: Comprehensive Approach to Identifying and Addressing Risks Could Help Prevent Grantee Financial Management Weaknesses. GAO-05-473T, April 5
     http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05473t.pdf
     Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d05473thigh.pdf
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5. Secretary Spellings Announces New Approach to Implementing the No Child Left Behind Act
   Source: EDInfo@listserv.ed.gov - April 7, 2005

   On April 7, 2005 Secretary Spellings announced a new approach to implementing the No Child Left Behind Act. The Department issued several documents, including:

   • A New Path for No Child Left Behind
   • Alternate Assessments for Students with Disabilities
   • Action Plan for FY 05 to Increase State Capacity in Instruction, Assessment, and Accountability for Students with Disabilities.
   These and other documents are at http://www2.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2005/04/04072005.html
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