The meeting follows on Sablan’s discussions earlier this month with Education Secretary Arne Duncan and with the submission of Sablan’s Member requests for changes in the law filed with the Committee on Education and Labor.
“We have four goals,” says Sablan. “We want the Northern Marianas to have more access to funds under Title I of the ESEA,” says Sablan. “Compared to the states the Northern Marianas is not receiving a sufficient share.
“We also want access to the Early Reading First program that helps pre-schoolers get off to a good start.
“The new ‘Race to the Top’ and ‘Investing in Innovation’ competitive grant programs need to be opened up to the Northern Marianas.
“And, lastly, we are working on a new program to recruit teachers to our islands and other remote areas of the country — similar to the public health programs for doctors — by helping with their transitional expenses and forgiving some of their student loans. This would also encourage our own students to return home to teach.
“I am very appreciative that Assistant Secretary Meléndez, who will be a key representative of the Obama administration during the ESEA reauthorization, was able to spend some time discussing my goals and how they can fit in to the overall administration blueprint for education.”
As assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education, Meléndez serves as the principal adviser to Education Secretary Arne Duncan on all matters related to pre-k, elementary and secondary education.
Meléndez served as superintendent of the Pomona Unified School District in California before being appointed to the U.S. Department of Education in 2009.
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