United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to Keynote United Way of Greater Los Angeles 2011 Education Summit

WHAT:

United Way of Greater Los Angeles 2011 Education Summit, the largest ever event focused on education reform in Los Angeles County.

Event brings together an unprecedented group of national and local thought leaders on education to uncover trends, find solutions, and take action against the driving forces impacting our educational system in Los Angeles. Participants will develop a plan to increase academic achievements for all students in Los Angeles County.

WHY/STATS:

L.A. County has seen modest gains in educational achievement, but further action is needed:

• 40% of L.A. County students are dropping out of school; this rate has not changed in ten years

• Only one-third of schools in L.A. County have Academic Performance Index (API) scores over 800; in LAUSD schools the number drops to 24%

• English and Algebra proficiency is improving, but modest gains and solutions are not scaling fast enough to improve education for all students

WHO:

National and local education experts, local civic and business leaders, including:

• U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan

• Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa

• United Way of Greater Los Angeles President and CEO, Elise Buik

• Incoming LAUSD Superintendent, Dr. John Deasy

• Long Beach Superintendent, Chris Steinhauser

• The Education Trust President, Kati Haycock

• Elementary Vice President, United Teachers Los Angeles, Julie Washington

• Local leaders in government, business and education

WHEN:

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

• 8:00 a.m.     Opening remarks by Mayor Villaraigosa and panel discussion including incoming LAUSD Superintendent, Dr. John Deasy

• 10:00 a.m.     Break-out panels and group discussions on how we can support great teachers and create a culture of success through school leadership

• 11:45 a.m.     Keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan

WHERE:

Los Angeles Convention Center

Concourse Hall, 1201 Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA

MEDIA OPPS:

• Opening remarks and ceremonies
• Keynote address by Arne Duncan and interview opportunities
• Interviews with national and local education experts (see above list) as well as civic and business leaders in Los Angeles County
• 1,000 attendees including key business, civic, community and educational leaders