Press Releases

Sharpton, Gingrich and Duncan Begin Education Tour

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Sep 25, 2009

SHARPTON, GINGRICH AND DUNCAN BEGIN EDUCATION TOUR TO EXPOSE CHALLENGES AND HIGHLIGHT REFORMS IN PHILADELPHIA

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and civil rights leader Al Sharpton will join Education Secretary Arne Duncan on a visit to Philadelphia on Tuesday, September 29^th as the first of several cities they will tour this fall to expose educational challenges, highlight bold reforms and rally support for greater transparency and accountability in all schools, higher learning standards, lifting restrictions on the growth of high-quality charter schools, turning around low-performing schools, and improving principal and teacher quality.

“In the global economy of the new century, the jobs of the future will go to the best educated. Today, however, American education is at a crossroads. One path leads to reform and progress, a better-trained workforce and a well-informed citizenry. Another path leads to the status quo: only 70% of students graduating; about 40% of 25 to 34 year-olds with a two-year or four-year college degree; double-digit achievement gaps whites, Hispanics and African-Americans; stagnating performance on international tests. Our hope is that these school visits and conversations will inspire the full array of stakeholders to set aside partisanship and ideology and join together in support of a common education reform agenda that addresses our core challenges and provides every child in every school the very best education possible,” Sharpton, Gingrich and Duncan said in a joint statement.

The tour, an outgrowth of their meeting with President Obama last spring, will include school visits, stakeholder meetings and media briefings. The goal is to bring key stakeholders together and generate open and honest dialogue on ways to make America more economically and intellectually competitive by improving public education. Other stops scheduled include New Orleans on Nov. 3^rd and Baltimore on Nov. 13^th. Cities were chosen both for logistical reasons and for what they can show about school reform. More stops will be added as the tour progresses.

WHAT & WHEN:

Visit to Mastery Charter School on Tuesday, September 29^th

10 a.m. Arrival
10:15 a.m. First Classroom visit Ms. Sulayman’s 11^th grade classroom community circle- OPEN PRESS
10:35 a.m. Second Classroom visit Ms. Finn-Ailer’s 9^th grade class- CLOSED PRESS

WHERE:

Mastery Charter School, Shoemaker Campus

5301 Media Street, Philadelphia, PA

WHO:

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Speaker Newt Gingrich

Reverend Al Sharpton

Chairman Archie, School Reform Commission

Dr. Ackerman, Superintendent

Scott Gordon, CEO

Ben Rayer, Chief, Charter, Partner & New Schools

WHAT & WHEN:

Visit to Delaplaine McDaniel School on Tuesday, September 29^th

11:30 a.m. Arrive
11:40 a.m. Classroom visit Ms. Bushnell’s 4^th grade literacy class- CLOSED PRESS
12:15 p.m. Lunch with McDaniel principals, teachers, administrators and parents- CLOSED PRESS
1:15 p.m. Panel: Roundtable Discussion with local elected and community leaders- CLOSED PRESS
2:15 p.m. Press Conference at the McDaniel outdoor playground- OPEN PRESS