Michael Yudin, acting assistant secretary for the U.S. Education Department's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, will join Nashville Mayor Karl Dean in visiting the respected Susan Gray School at Vanderbilt University Thursday in Nashville to learn more about parent involvement in early education programs.
The event is part of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's "Partners in Progress" Back-to-School bus tour in the South, highlighting states' commitment to encourage reform and innovation and help all students to achieve success. The bus tour stopped in Nashville Wednesday during a two-day swing through Tennessee. Traveling through places that represent the cradle of America's civil rights effort, the tour places a focus on important work that is closing gaps of opportunity many young Americans face.
Following Thursday's Susan Gray School tour with Mayor Dean, Yudin will participate in a roundtable discussion with parents, teachers and community leaders who will share their personal experiences on the importance of early learning for all children.
As acting assistant secretary, Yudin's office oversees programs aimed at improving results and outcomes for America's infants, toddlers, children and adults with disabilities. For nearly four decades, the Susan Gray School has served young children ages 1-5 with and without special needs, as well as young children who are at risk for developmental delay. The school has the distinction of being the first nationally recognized early intervention program to include typically developing children in educational settings with children with disabilities.
A press availability with Yudin will follow the roundtable.
Reporters wishing to cover the event may RSVP Joan Brasher at (615) 322-NEWS or [email protected] to reserve a spot and receive parking instructions and directions. A mult box will be available.