The U.S. Department of Education recently announced dates and locations for a series of regional workshops taking place this summer about best practices in elementary and secondary education. The topics to be covered in these workshops revolve around the American Competitiveness Initiative, with a heavy focus on math and science education.

There aren't any workshops planned in Chicago, but several will be held throughout the Midwest:

• June 20-21 St. Paul, Minnesota: General topics (K-8)
• June 22-23, Dayton, Ohio: Math and History (K-8)
• Aug. 10-11, Dearborn, Michigan: Workshop for Reading and ESL Teachers (K-12)

For more information or to see a full list of dates and locations, visit the Department of Education website at http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2006/04/04172006.html.