Colorado Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper Named New ECS Chair for 2011-2013

DENVER, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Education Commission of the States (ECS) announced today that Colorado Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper will become Chair of ECS upon his inauguration on January 11, 2011.

ECS is an interstate compact created in 1965 to improve public education by facilitating the exchange of information, ideas and experiences among state policymakers and education leaders. As the only national, nonpartisan organization involving key leaders from all levels of the education system, ECS creates unique opportunities to build partnerships, share information and promote the development of policy based on available research and strategies.

"Education is the single most important building block for our economic future," Gov.-elect Hickenlooper said. "Without a strong education system, job creation and economic development cannot be sustained. Great teachers and school leaders are crucial to transforming our schools. We also need parental involvement to find ways to get kids to work harder. Education must be promoted and supported as a lifetime endeavor. The Education Commission of the States, by working with governors and educators across the country, is in a uniquely powerful position to help foster these changes." Every two years, the chairship of ECS rotates between Democratic and Republican governors. Gov.- elect Hickenlooper will assume his new leadership post from the current ECS Chair, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

"ECS would like to thank Gov. Tim Pawlenty for his service and dedication to our organization. As an effective state and national leader, he has been a thoughtful and articulate proponent of making sure our children have the education they need to complete in a global economy," ECS President Roger Sampson said. "We also thank Gov.-elect Hickenlooper for taking on the leadership of ECS at a time when states continue to struggle to do more with less. We look forward to his leadership and entrepreneurial spirit as we work with states to formulate strategies to make sure their kids get the 21st century skills they need."

Gov.-elect Hickenlooper currently serves as the Mayor of Denver. Throughout his career, he has distinguished himself as a strong advocate for education and economic development. One of the first commitments Gov.-elect Hickenlooper made as Mayor was to visit all 151 schools in the Denver Public Schools system. He made good on that promise and helped forge a strong relationship between the City and the school district. In 2005, after serving only two years as Mayor, Time Magazine named him among the top five "Big-City" mayors in the country. He was elected Governor of Colorado on Nov. 2, 2010.

The Education Commission of the States (ECS) is the only nationwide, nonpartisan interstate compact devoted to education. ECS helps governors, legislators, state education officials and others identify, develop and implement public policies to improve student learning at all levels. A nonprofit organization, ECS (www.ecs.org) was formed in 1965 and is located in Denver, Colorado.

Helping State Leaders Shape Education Policy

SOURCE Education Commission of the States