[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 28431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11950]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


The Equity and Excellence Commission

AGENCY: Office for Civil Rights. U.S. Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice of open meeting. (amended)

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SUMMARY: On May 10, 2011 the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at 
the U.S. Department of Education published in the Federal Register (76 
FR 27034) a notice of open meeting for the Equity and Excellence 
Commission. This notice amends the May 10, 2011 notice by providing 
notice of a closed session on the afternoon of May 23, 2011 and 
amending the start time of the meeting on May 24, 2011.
    This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of an 
upcoming open meeting with a closed session of The Equity and 
Excellence Commission. The notice also describes the functions of the 
Commission. Notice of this meeting is required by section 10(a)(2) of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act and is intended to notify the public 
of their opportunity to attend. This amended notice is appearing in the 
Federal Register less than 15 days before the meeting due to the need 
to add a closed session to the agenda.

DATES: Monday, May 23, 2011 and Tuesday, May 24, 2011.
    Time: May 23, 2011: noon to 5:30 p.m.; May 24, 2011: 9:30 a.m. to 
noon. Closed session will begin at 2:30-5:30 p.m. on May 23, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The Commission will meet at the U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Lyndon Baines 
Johnson Auditorium.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Chen, Designated Federal 
Official, Equity and Excellence Commission, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202. E-mail: 
[email protected]. Telephone: (202) 453-6624.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Commission is to collect 
information, analyze issues, and obtain broad public input regarding 
how the Federal government can increase educational opportunity by 
improving school funding equity. The Commission will also make 
recommendations for restructuring school finance systems to achieve 
equity in the distribution of educational resources and further student 
performance, especially for the students at the lower end of the 
achievement gap. The Commission will examine the disparities in 
meaningful educational opportunities that give rise to the achievement 
gap, with a focus on systems of finance, and recommend appropriate ways 
in which Federal policies could address such disparities.
    The agenda for the Commission's second meeting will include a 
discussion of the best framework for the report and the finalizing of 
outlines for each section of the report. The meeting will include a 
report of outreach activities conducted by the Commission in April and 
May. The Commission will also meet in closed session at 2:30 on May 23, 
2011 to discuss financial matters relevant to the Department's budget 
and matters that could interfere with proposed agency action with 
regard to competitive grant programs if discussed publicly and 
therefore is protected under 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(9)(B). Due to time 
constraints, there will not be a public comment period at this meeting, 
but, individuals wishing to comment may contact the Equity Commission 
via e-mail at [email protected].
    Individuals interested in attending the meeting must register in 
advance because seating may be limited. Please contact Kimberly 
Watkins-Foote at (202) 260-8197 or by e-mail at 
[email protected]. Individuals who will need accommodations for a 
disability in order to attend the meeting (e.g., interpreting services, 
assistive listening devices, or materials in alternative format) should 
notify Watkins-Foote at (202) 260-8197 no later than May 16, 2011. We 
will attempt to meet requests for accommodations after this date but 
cannot guarantee their availability. The meeting site is accessible to 
individuals with disabilities.
    Records are kept of all Commission proceedings and are available 
for public inspection at the Department of Education, 400 Maryland 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20202 from the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
E.S.T.

Russlynn Ali,
Assistant Secretary, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of 
Education.
[FR Doc. 2011-11950 Filed 5-16-11; 8:45 am]
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