Excelsior College, Albany, New York, has announced that Christopher B. Roecker of Davenport and Lloyd H. Trowers, also of Davenport, have graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees.

DES MOINES, IA (01/19/2010)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants every second and third grade teacher in the state to take advantage of the free pencils being offered through Prepare for the Basics. This no-cost program, which provides pencils for students to use during the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, supplied almost 13,500 during the 2008-09 school year. "Any teacher interested in receiving free pencils for their class have until April 1st to submit their requests," stated Fitzgerald. "I really hope all teachers take advantage of this program. It is a small gesture of appreciation for all that they do."

Teachers who would like to take part in the Prepare for the Basics program can register online by visiting www.treasurer.state.ia.us and clicking on the financial literacy tab. Materials should be requested at least two weeks prior to testing to ensure timely arrival, and will be delivered directly to the participating schools. Supplies are limited, so early registration is advised. For more information about College Savings Iowa, go to www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

The Prepare for the Basics program will also provide information about College Savings Iowa, the state's 529 plan designed to give families an affordable way to save money for college. "Families who begin saving early are better prepared to meet the educational needs of their children. Any little bit that can saved now will offset what has to be borrowed in the future," stated Fitzgerald.

College Savings Iowa lets anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - invest for college on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $2,811 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2010.* Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and room and board at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.**

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

** Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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"This law is another strong signal to Washington that a top-notch education for all Illinois students is our foremost priority," said Governor Quinn. "Rigorous teacher and principal evaluations will make our education system the best it can be, while ensuring Illinois is at the head of the class when it comes to winning those important federal 'Race to the Top' funds."

Senate Bill 315, sponsored by Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) and Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora), requires every school district to incorporate student performance as a significant factor in teacher and principal evaluations. The new law requires districts to work with its local teachers' union to meet the new requirements.

More than 350 school districts, representing more than 70 percent of Illinois' students, have agreed to make student performance at least 50 percent of evaluation criteria if Illinois receives "Race to the Top" funds.

Under the legislation, Chicago Public Schools and dozens of other districts will begin using the new teacher evaluations in 2012, with full statewide implementation by 2016. All districts will implement the new principal evaluations in 2012. If the state wins "Race to the Top funds," the timeline would be greatly accelerated with most districts implementing the evaluations in 2012.

Governor Quinn also signed Senate Bill 616, sponsored by Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) and Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora), which allows non-profit organizations, such as Teach for America, to offer alternative certification programs independent from institutions of higher education. This allows the state to increase the number of high-quality training programs for teachers and principals, a priority established by the U.S. Department of Education. The non-profit programs will be required to undergo the same rigorous approval process as higher education institutions.

These bills represent a four-month effort by the Governor's Office, the Illinois State Board of Education, the two major teachers' unions, civic and business leaders, advocates, management groups and legislators from both parties.

"Race to the Top" is a $4.35 billion competitive federal grant process focused on innovative approaches to education. Illinois could receive up to $500 million in discretionary funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Applications are due January 19.

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ROCK ISLAND, IL (01/14/2010)(readMedia)-- 834 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2009 fall term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Martha Ade from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in general studies.

Faria Ahmed from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in psychology, biology, and pre-medicine.

Drew Allen from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in international business.

Samuel Alvarado from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in chemistry.

Amber Anderson from Port Byron, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Samuel Anderson from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in math and computer sciences.

Erica Aten from Coal Valley, IL, a sophomore majoring in psychology.

Angela Bahls from Rock Island, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Carrie Bestian from Taylor Ridge, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Allie Bierhaus from Bettendorf, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Nicholas Borchert from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in English and philosophy.

Jasmine Brooks from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Ryan Brummet from Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Nicholas Camlin from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in political science.

Kevin Carton from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in communication studies, French, and Africana studies.

Angela Congrove from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Brittany Dalton from Eldridge, IA, a senior majoring in pre-medicine.

Adam DeSimone from Bettendorf, IA, a sophomore majoring in economics.

Grace Drenth from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Brianna Dyer from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in English/language arts education.

Megan Ferris from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Melissa Fobert from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in accounting and business financing.

Neil Friberg from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in general studies.

Alyssa Harmon from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in business administration.

Thomas Harris from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Victoria Hays from Milan, IL, a junior majoring in accounting.

Kjerstin Hurty from Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Mohammed Hussain from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Nicole Johnson from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in English/language arts education.

Clare Kilbride from Rock Island, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Mary Lambrech tfrom Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Paul Lambrecht from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in history education.

Jasmin Landeros from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in elementary education.

Megan Lecander from Sherrard, IL, a junior majoring in business administration.

Thomas Lemon from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in history and business management.

Megan Lonergan from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in elementary education and math.

Amy Malmstead from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in business administration.

Benjamin Marine from Coal Valley, IL, a senior majoring in biology, pre-medicine, and business administration.

Crystina Mayfield from Coal Valley, IL, a sophomore majoring in general studies.

Nathaniel McDowell from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in English and philosophy.

Lauren Mentado from Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Kelsey Miller from Milan, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Courtney Mitten from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in psychology.

Emma Moran from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in biology, pre-medicine, and Spanish.

Allison Mulherin from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology.

Rayna Narvaez from Bettendorf, IA, a junior majoring in psychology and Spanish.

Leart Neziroski from East Moline, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Justine Nuguid from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Jacob O'Rourke from Bettendorf, IA, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Luke Osborne from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in classics with a Latin emphasis.

Andrew Palm from Rock Island, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Kayla Papish from East Moline, IL, a junior majoring in math education.

Douglas Peters from Port Byron, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Srividya Prabhu from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Andrew Randone from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in political science.

Bridget Reich from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in psychology.

Lauren Reid from Sherrard, IL, a sophomore majoring in business administration.

James Sales from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in biology.

Alyssa Schroeder from Coal Valley, IL, a senior majoring in business finance and accounting.

Andrew Shaffer from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in history.

Alex Sieg from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in biochemistry.

Anna Smith from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in biology.

Mark Stumphy from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in biology.

Josephine Swanson from Rock Island, IL, a sophomore majoring in biology.

Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, IL, a first-year majoring in general studies.

Theodore Teros from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in philosophy.

Katherine Vander Vennet from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in business marketing and communication studies.

Courtney Vandewiele from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in political science and accounting.

Bret Vandewoestyne from Silvis, IL, a senior majoring in biology.

Felipe Villagomez from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in anthropology and business administration.

Maria Vital from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in Spanish.

Katherine Voigt from Bettendorf, IA, a junior majoring in biology.

Audrey Waner from Davenport, IA, a junior majoring in art.

Emily Weller from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in art education.

Jacob Wells from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology.

Peter Wessels from Bettendorf, IA, a sophomore majoring in business administration.

Lauren White from East Moline, IL, a junior majoring in accounting.

Eric Wigand from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in business finance.

Nicholas Wilczynski from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Laurel Williams from Sherrard, IL, a sophomore majoring in communication science and disorders and English.

Jennifer Youngs from Taylor Ridge, IL, a sophomore majoring in general studies.

Deanna Zwicker from Orion, IL, a junior majoring in business finance.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls nearly 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 60 majors and areas of study. Augustana employs 226 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.