U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will visit Denver May 13-14 for a roundtable with Native youth; a basketball clinic; a school visit; a luncheon with the Denver Education Compact; and keynote remarks at Community College of Denver's graduation ceremony.
On Wednesday, May 13, at 4:20 p.m. MT, the Secretary will conduct a basketball clinic following a roundtable with Native youth as part of the Obama Administration Native Youth Listening Tour. During the sixth White House Tribal Nations Conference, President Obama announced that members of his Cabinet would visit Indian Country to hear directly from Native youth and launched the Gen-Indigenous (Gen-I) Initiative to focus on improving the lives of Native youth by removing the barriers that stand between Native youth and their opportunity to succeed. Through new investments and increased engagement, the Gen-I Initiative takes a comprehensive, culturally appropriate approach to ensure all young Native people can reach their full potential. There will be a press availability at 5 p.m.
On Thursday, May 14, at 8:45 a.m. MT, he will visit McGlone Elementary School with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg. The Secretary will visit a classroom and meet with students, teachers, school leaders, and community members about McGlone’s dramatic academic transformation. This event will be followed by a press availability at 10:05.
At 11:30 a.m. MT, Secretary Duncan will meet with the Denver Education Compact, co-chaired by Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Boasberg, to learn about this public-private partnership and engage in a conversation about its successes and impact.
Finally at 7 p.m. MT, Secretary Duncan will deliver remarks at the Community College of Denver's commencement ceremony. He will speak about the need for graduates to use their education as a tool for good, as they shape America’s future. In today's economy, a high school diploma just isn't enough. Students have to reach higher, which is why First Lady Michelle Obama is working to rally the country around the President's goal for America to once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. The Reach Higher initiative is the First Lady’s effort to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university.