[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2711-2712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-972]


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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION


Equity and Excellence Commission

AGENCY: Office for Civil Rights, Education.

ACTION: Notice of open meeting (Amended).

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SUMMARY: On January 5, 2012, the Office for Civil Rights published in 
the Federal Register (FR Doc. 2011-33800 Filed 1-4-12; 8:45 a.m.) a 
notice of open meeting on January 23, 2012 for the Equity and 
Excellence Commission. This notice amends the January 5, 2012 notice by 
providing notice of a closed session from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in which 
the Commissioners will participate in an Ethics briefing prior to the 
start of the January 23rd meeting
    This notice sets forth the revised schedule and proposed agenda of 
this meeting. The original January 5th notice 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 notice is 
appearing in the Federal Register less than 15 days before the meeting 
due to a last minute decision to include the Ethics briefing for 
Commissioners.

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 a 
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

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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 an Ethics briefing, discussion of particular language for 
drafting certain portions of the Commission's annual 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 
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].
    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. 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. 2012-972 Filed 1-18-12; 8:45 am]
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