U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and senior Department officials will launch the sixth annual back-to-school bus tour, which kicks off in Kansas City, Missouri, and runs from Monday, Sept. 14, to Friday, Sept. 18, 2015.
This year’s “Ready for Success” tour will include stops in Kansas City, Missouri; Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Champaign and Williamsfield, Illinois; West Lafayette and Indianapolis, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Duncan and other senior Department officials will hold events highlighting the progress and achievements of educators, students, families and leaders in expanding opportunity for students throughout the nation.
Education is a lifelong path—from preschool through college and careers—where, at every point along the way, access to high-quality learning opportunities can ensure everyone is ready for success. This year’s “Ready for Success” tour will celebrate how states and local communities are working to increase access and opportunity from early learning through college.
Preliminary details of bus tour activities follow. Additional information and exact timing for each site will be released by the day prior to the announcement. Every event will include a media availability with Duncan and local leaders.
View a video trailer about the bus tour here.
Stay connected with this year’s tour by signing up for bus tour email updates.
EVENT 1
WHAT: Preschool classroom visit: expanding access for all students, including those with disabilities
WHEN: Monday afternoon, Sept. 14
WHERE: Woodland Early Learning Center, Kansas City, Missouri
EVENT 2
WHAT: Town hall with students and parents on college access and affordability
WHEN: Monday afternoon, Sept. 14
WHERE: North High School, Des Moines, Iowa
EVENT 3
WHAT: Shadow teacher coaching and roundtable on teacher leadership
WHEN: Tuesday morning, Sept. 15
WHERE: Roosevelt Middle School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
EVENT 4
WHAT: School visit focusing on educational technology and open educational resources
WHEN: Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 15
WHERE: Williamsfield Community Unit School District, Williamsfield, Illinois
EVENT 5
WHAT: Roundtable on disability resources
WHEN: Wednesday morning, Sept. 16
WHERE: University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois
EVENT 6
WHAT: The President’s Lecture Series at Purdue University
WHEN: Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 16
WHERE: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
EVENT 7
WHAT: Family and community engagement town hall and a conversation with students
WHEN: Wednesday evening, Sept. 16
WHERE: Crispus Attucks High School, Indianapolis, Indiana
EVENT 8
WHAT: School visit
WHEN: Thursday morning, Sept. 17
WHERE: Jeffersontown High Magnet Career Academy, Louisville, Kentucky
EVENT 9
WHAT: College tour and town hall on college access
WHEN: Thursday afternoon, Sept. 17
WHERE: University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
EVENT 10
WHAT: College affordability event
WHEN: Thursday evening, Sept. 17
WHERE: Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Cincinnati, Ohio
EVENT 11
WHAT: STEM education and college access event
WHEN: Friday afternoon, Sept. 18
WHERE: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania