More Than 400 Educators Attend ING-Sponsored Forum About Narrowing The Achievement Gap
Presentation Now Available On-Line
PRNewswire
WASHINGTON
Apr 9, 2003
More than 400 education leaders attended a forum to address the achievement gap between socio-economically deprived students and their peers sponsored by ING and coordinated by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). Presented at USA TODAY's headquarters and simulcast via the Internet, the discussion was the first of three such forums that will take place. Following the three events, an AASA guide will be published to provide local school systems and community leaders with best practices from diverse school districts throughout the country. The presentations from the first forum are now available on-line at www.aasa.org .
"One of the most critical issues facing many school administrators, teachers and community leaders today is addressing the No Child Left Behind legislation that mandates minimum education standards for all students," said Bill Jasien, senior vice president of ING's education market. "This forum is meant to provide an interactive dialogue for sharing practical solutions to address the challenges associated with this legislation across the country. ING is proud to sponsor this AASA initiative and help facilitate this important dialogue among education leaders."
According to the speakers at the forum, real change must take a systemic approach combined with the maintaining of rigorous standards. "Real change requires a sustained, purposeful, and data-informed approach by school systems," said Rossi Ray-Taylor, executive director of the Minority Student Achievement Network. "Only such a systemic approach will work in making meaningful changes stick."
Also speaking at the event was Jerry Weast, superintendent, Montgomery County Public Schools, who discussed his school system's comprehensive K-3 initiative, and Joseph Olchefske, superintendent of the Seattle Public Schools, who presented Seattle's "Freedom Agenda," providing empowerment and accountability to the schools within that system. While taking different approaches, each speaker emphasized the importance of maintaining "rigorous academic standards."
"There are many factors which contribute to the achievement gap that are beyond the ability of schools to control," said AASA Executive Director Paul Houston. "But school districts have a responsibility to address the factors they can influence. AASA's guide for superintendents will identify state and local policies that aggravate the achievement gap and provide examples of promising practices in school districts that have successfully narrowed the gap."
The series will continue on June 17 in Tucson, Arizona, and the third event will take place on June 19 in Los Angeles. For more information about those discussions or an audio recording and presentation material from the first presentation, visit www.aasa.org, or contact Marion Hunt at 703-875-0766 or mhunt@aasa.org.
About AASA
AASA, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 14,000 educational leaders across America and in many other countries. AASA's mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children.
About ING
ING is a leading provider of retirement services to school systems and higher educational institutions throughout the country. The AASA sponsorship is one component of ING's Smart Tools for Educators- No Educator Left Behind™ program. This wide-ranging program provides complete retirement plan services as well as Unsung Hero's, a grant program for classroom teachers, 2020 Green, a financial literacy program for high school students and SchoolNotes.com, which provides a no-cost internet site for parents, teachers and kids to communicate.
ING's U.S. financial services operations offer a comprehensive array of products and services, including retirement plans; employee benefits; life insurance; fixed and variable annuities; investment advisory services, and mutual funds, through a variety of distribution channels and affiliates. ING U.S. Financial Services is part of Amsterdam-based ING Groep N.V., one of the largest integrated financial services organizations in the world.
Media inquiries: Phil Margolis, ING Barbara Knisely, AASA 860-723-4783 703-875-0723 margolisp@ing-afs.com bknisely@aasa.org
SOURCE: ING Americas
CONTACT: Phil Margolis of ING, +1-860-723-4783, or
margolisp@ing-afs.com ; or Barbara Knisely of AASA, +1-703-875-0723, or
bknisely@aasa.org