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U.S. Department of Education Sources

The U.S. Department of Education can be a rich resource for reporters to gather information for stories.Here are some peoplein the Office of Communication who can guide you on specific topics. In addition, we've added some sources from the National Center for Education Statistics who can help as well.

Senior Staff Members

Christy Anderson, Press/Communications Assistant: 202/205-4077

Chad Colby, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach: 401-4401

Elissa Leonard; Deputy Press Secretary: 202/401-8459

Lauren Maddox, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Outreach

Marcie Ridgeway, Chief of Staff for Communications and Outreach: 202/401-6359

Samara Yudof, Press Secretary: 202/401-8191

Beat Specialists

Jo Ann Webb (202/401-0316) and Elaine Quesinberry (202/401-3017)

No Child Left Behind:

  • State NCLB issues: testing, accountability, AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)
  • High School Initiative
  • Title I funding for low-income students, school districts
  • Tutoring/SES (Supplemental Education Services); school choice; DC Choice program
  • Charter schools, magnet schools
  • Reading First, Early Reading First
  • Safe and Drug-Free Schools

Stephanie Babyak (202/401-2311/Mon-Wed-Fri), Jane Glickman (202/401-1307/Tues-Thurs-Fri)

High Ed Issues:

  • Policy, financial aid (student loans, grants, etc.)

No Child Left Behind:

  • Teacher issues in general
  • Transition to Teaching program
  • HQT (highly qualified teachers)
  • Teacher aides/paraprofessionals
  • Alternative certification, Troops to Teachers program, Teach for America program

Jim Bradshaw (202/401-2310) and David Thomas (202/401-1579)

Budget

Civil rights:

  • Complaints and investigations, single sex, general Title IX issues

No Child Left Behind:

  • Special education
  • Vocational and Adult Education
  • Educational technology
  • Military recruiter provision
  • NAEP (National Assessment of Education Progress), NCES statistics, trends
  • Inspector General issues
  • Financial management issues, personnel questions
  • Home School
  • Impact Aid

Gregg Wiggins (202/401-3858)

Radio:

  • Recommends radio opportunities for Secretary/Senior Staff
  • Records sound from events, hearings; get the bites posted for radio news feed service
  • Coordinates getting transcripts from interviews, events and press conferences

No Child Left Behind:

  • Indian education
  • Migrant and homeless education
  • Arts education

Gifted and talented students

National Center for Education Statistics

Aurora D'Amico, higher ed, 202/502-7334

Kerry Gruber, teaching staffing data,202/502-7349

Bill Hussar,projections, financial data, 202-502-7359

Tom Snyder, research and statistics, 202-502-7452