U.S. Secretary of Education holds conference call

The White House announced education as its top priority for this week, presenting changes the Obama administration has made to the education system and future initiatives it hopes to implement.

As a part of this initiative, both Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education, and Jill Biden hosted events Monday.

Duncan held a conference call with representatives from MTV, the College Board and college journalists to discuss future goals for education. Here are the top five things mentioned during the conference:

1. The current FAFSA application is difficult for students and can discourage them from applying for financial aid, Duncan said.

“The FAFSA form is far too long, far too confusing,” he said. “It’s a huge barrier in encouraging students to go to college.”

Beginning this year, the form will be shorter and simpler, he said.

2. Having debt after college prevents students from continuing education and pursuing interests.

“We have people with a passion and heart for teaching, but cannot afford to pay back loans,” Duncan said.

He addressed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, which allows recent graduates the opportunity to erase student debt by completing 10 years of public service.

3. MTV and its parent company Viacom have joined with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to bring forth the “Get Schooled” campaign, a five-year program that aims to achieve higher graduation rates and bring the United States back to the top in education, said Jason Rzepka, vice president for public affairs at MTV Networks.

“The campaign is aiming to make a sustained effort to help all students graduate college,” Rzepka said. “Get Schooled is an effort to improve college readiness and college completion rates.”

4. MTV and the College Board presented the “Get Schooled College Affordability Challenge,” which is targeted toward incoming college students.

The challenge offers $10,000 to the student who creates the most innovative digital tool that helps low and middle-income students locate financial aid.

Rzepka said the music channel is not only for the fist-pumping crowd, but it can also be used as an outlet to put forth the difficulties facing today’s youth.

“We’re going to use MTV superpowers for good in ways to empower young people,” Rzepka said. “The big challenge today is getting a great education.”

5. With budget cuts across the nation impacting educational funding, Duncan said it was important for students to fight back by voting in the November elections.

“Republicans, Democrats, it doesn’t matter. Young people need to go out and vote,” Duncan said. “I would love to see every candidate from every party with their stance on education and education funding.”

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.