Board of Education Development

The Prince George's County Board of Education attended the five-day Reform Governance in Action program hosted by the Center for Reform of School Systems in Park City, Utah, July 13-17.

The board attended the program through a two-year $400,000 grant awarded to the school system by the Center for Reform and the Broad Foundation. The grant program provides on-site consultations and workshops to help the board develop policies to advance student achievement. The board plans to focus on addressing curriculum shortfalls and reversing educational disparities that stem from race and socioeconomic status.

National Science Medal Winners

University of Maryland Distinguished Professor Rita Colwell and Northwestern University professor Tobin Marks received the National Medal of Science from President Bush in a ceremony at the White House on July 27.

Colwell, who studies oceans, climate and human health, and Marks, who teaches chemistry, won the award for 2006 and 2005, respectively. The National Science Foundation awards the medal to pioneers of scientific research who increase understanding of the world and give the United States a global edge.

Colwell was the first female director of the National Science Foundation, serving from 1998 to 2004. Marks is a University of Maryland alumnus.

-- Compiled by MICHELLE BETTON

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