[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 484-485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33800]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Equity and Excellence Commission

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

ACTION: Notice of an open meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of an 
up-coming meeting of the Equity and Excellence Commission (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 (FACA) and is intended to notify the public of their 
opportunity to attend.

DATES: January 23, 2012.
    Time: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: The Commission will meet in Washington, DC at the United 
States Department of Education at 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, 
DC 20202, in Barnard Auditorium.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Eichner, Designated Federal 
Official, Equity and Excellence Commission, U.S. Department of 
Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20202. Email: 
[email protected]. Telephone: (202) 453-5945.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 23, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
Eastern Standard Time, the Equity and Excellence Commission will hold 
an open meeting in Washington, DC in the Barnard Auditorium at the U.S. 
Department of Education's main building at 400 Maryland Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20202.
    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 January 23, 2012 meeting will 
include discussion of particular language for certain portions of the 
report and reaching consensus on particular recommendations. The 
Commission may have breakout sessions, most likely during the second 
half of the meeting, to discuss particular issues. The Commission plans 
to discuss the establishment of two or more subcommittees to discuss

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recommendations the Commission may make regarding teachers and school 
leaders; what documents and information should be included in the 
materials that will supplement the main Commission report; and/or other 
subjects within the Commission's charter. If time permits, these 
subcommittees may meet in the afternoon to outline their specific tasks 
and timing for subsequent meetings. Due to time constraints, there will 
not be a public comment period, but, individuals wishing to provide 
comments may contact the Equity Commission via email at 
[email protected]. For comments related to the upcoming meeting, 
please submit comments no later than January 13, 2012.
    Individuals interested in attending the meeting must register in 
advance because seating may be limited. Please contact Jim Eichner at 
(202) 453-5945 or by email 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 Jim Eichner at (202) 
245-5945 no later than January 13, 2012. 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. 
Eastern Standard Time.

Russlynn Ali,
Assistant Secretary, Office for Civil Rights.
[FR Doc. 2011-33800 Filed 1-4-12; 8:45 am]
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