Weekly Wrap Up: Innovation, Education, and Even Some Motown

[The Straight Story]

Weekly Wrap Up: Innovation, Education, and Even Some Motown
Posted by Kori Schulman on March 04, 2011 at 07:24 PM EST

A quick look back at the week on WhiteHouse.gov:

On Education: This month, the President will be focused on his plan to improve American education through investments that focus on responsibility, reform, and results:

* President Obama travels to Miami to visit a high school that has been an example of how federal support has turned around struggling schools.
* John Legend encourages students to apply for the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge. One high school will be selected to have President Obama speak at its commencement this spring. The deadline to apply is March 11.
* Oh, and Nick Jonas did too.
* The First Lady and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan read to children at the Library of Congress as part of "Read Across America Day," and in celebration of Dr. Seuss' 107th birthday.

The Motown Sound: Continuing a favorite White House tradition, the President and First Lady welcome renowned musical artists to the White House to celebrate music that’s at the heart of the American story.

Giving States the Power to Innovate: In his address to the meeting of the National Governors' Association, President Obama called for giving states the flexibility to find the best ways to meet standards of care outlined in the Affordable Care Act. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius explained what that flexibility means for states across the country.

West Wing Week Video: "Green Eggs and Governors"

Focusing on Military Families: The First Lady and Dr. Biden speak to the National Governors' Association, promoting their continued efforts to serve our Nation's military families.

More Signs of Economic Growth: Austan Goolsbee, chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, talks about the positive news from the February jobs report. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis shares photos from her trip to auto manufacturers in the Midwest, and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood posts a video from his trip to a clean-energy manufacturing plant in South Carolina.

Violence in Libya: President Obama discusses ongoing turmoil in Libya with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and also addresses it during his joint press conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

Innovation at ARPA-E: The Department of Energy hosts the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit, where scientists and business leaders came together to share ideas for developing the next generation of American energy technology.

Black History Month 2011: As February came to a close, WhiteHouse.gov wrapped up its Celebrating Black History Month series, and looked back on the events at the White House through the month.

Developing Rural Broadband: The USDA is using Recovery Act funds and working with Native Americans to bring high-speed broadband to rural America.

Remembering the Last Doughboy: Veterans Affairs commemorates the life of Frank Buckles, the last suriviving American World War One veteran, who died this week at 110.

Keeping Homes Affordable: The Department of the Treasury posts information about how terminating foreclosure prevention aid would seriously damage the still-fragile housing market.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/03/04/weekly-wrap-innovation-education-and-even-some-motown